Hussey ton delays the inevitable

Stuart Clark stuck around to put on almost 100 runs with a stubborn Michael Hussey

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An unbeaten century from Michael Hussey and a 96-run stand for the last wicket with Stuart Clark saved Australia the ignominy of having to follow-on against the Board President's XI.

However, Ricky Ponting's side remain firmly on the back foot on the third day of their warm-up match.

Hussey made 126 and was the last man left standing when Australia were bowled out for 314, leaving them 141 runs behind after the first innings.

By close of play on Thursday, the President's XI extended the lead to 251, closing the day on 110 for two.

Opener Wasim Jaffer was batting four short of a half-century while Yuvraj Singh was unbeaten on 37. 

Piyush Chawla revealed Australia's susceptibility to spin as he claimed 5-89 from 40 overs.

Together with left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha (3-72), leg-spinner Chawla had threatened to bowl out Australia for far less than the score they eventually achieved.

Australia had crashed to 218 for nine, but Clark emerged the unlikely hero, his enterprising knock of 44 helping them crawl over the 300-run mark.

Australia lost Brad Haddin (34) off the fourth delivery of the day when the wicketkeeper batsman stepped out to hit Ojha, but was stumped by Parthiv Patel.

His dismissal triggered a slide as Jason Krejza, Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson and Peter Siddle all fell in the span of just 15 runs.

Clark then walked out to join Hussey and the pair frustrated Yuvraj's side as they batted together for over 40 overs.

Hussey initially shielded Clark from the strike, but the number 11 batsman grew in confidence and soon came into his own.

Clark's knock was studded with four boundaries and a couple of sixes.

Hussey, who resumed on 54, reached his century in 235 deliveries and underlined his credentials as one of Australia's most dependable and consistent batsmen.

Clark completed a fine day by getting rid of Aakash Chopra (six) quickly in the second innings, while Lee got rid of Subramaniam Badrinath (14), the Tamil Nadu player falling prey to poor shot selection.

Yuvraj and Jaffer, however, held firm and walked off holding out the promise of another day of toil for the Australia bowlers tomorrow.