Australia's captain Ricky Ponting...79 not out

ADELAIDE, Australia (AP):

India fired their best shots after stumps yesterday, accusing Australia of batting ''scared'' on the third day of the fourth cricket Test when the hosts ground out an unspectacular innings that dented the visitors' victory ambitions.

Australia reached 322 for three by stumps in reply to India's 526, adding a cautious 260 runs for the loss of three wickets in the day. A draw would be enough for Australia to win the series, and India are running out of time to bowl them out twice and square the series 2-2.

"They are not going to win so they are scared and playing very defensive,'' India opening batsman Virender Sehwag said at the close of play.

''It was a very good day for India.

''It was a good performance by our bowlers. On a flat track, to restrict them to 260-3 was a very good effort.''

Ponting criticised

Sehwag's comments smacked of the antagonism that has permeated the series. He was quick to point out Ponting (79 not out) had not reached a half century in the first three Tests of the series and claimed the Australian captain sacrificed the team's run-rate in order to correct that shortcoming.

Australia managed only 67 runs from 27 overs in the afternoon session and 97 runs from 33 overs in the final session. Ponting took 197 minutes to reach his half century and batted more than four hours for his 79 runs by the close.

''We are in a positive mind,'' Sehwag said.

''We will try to walk out tomorrow and get them out quickly and play positively.''

Australia's total was underpinned by an innings of 103 by opener Matthew Hayden - his third century in five innings in the series.

Hayden takes place

Hayden moved to outright third on the list of Australian test century makers with his century, taking his place behind Ponting and Steve Waugh. He moved out of a third-place tie with the great Sir Donald Bradman whose 29 centuries in 52 Tests are iconic figures in Australian cricket.

Hayden put on 159 for the opening wicket with Phil Jaques (60) to provide Australia with a strong platform. Ponting and Michael Clarke (37 not out) built on that foundation and, with more effort than ease, added 81 in an unbroken fourth-wicket partnership ahead of stumps. Ponting's half century was his 40th in tests and sixth against India.