Lee warms to the task

Brett Lee enjoys VVS Laxman's departure late in the day, his third wicket © Getty Images

Australia paceman Brett Lee was pleased with his performance on the first day of the third Test against India but admitted his side were “hanging in there” at times in Perth.

A gutsy performance from Lee, who took 3-64, and two wickets from Mitchell Johnson ensured Australia reached the close on top after reducing the tourists to 297 for six at stumps.

Andrew Symonds' dismissal of Rahul Dravid (93) and Lee seeing off VVS Laxman (27) in the final 40 minutes of play turned the day in Australia's favour.

But Lee admitted his side had not had things all their own way.

“We just had to hang in there," he said. "If we had them four down for 300 it might have been a different story and you'd probably give India the tick in the box.

“Those two late wickets, six down, I think Australia is in a pretty good spot now.

“It was pretty hot out there. When you see seagulls walking around with their mouths open, you know it's a pretty warm day."

Lee takes a breather on a stifling day at the WACA

Lee’s performance highlighted how he has matured since taking the mantle of number one paceman in the wake of Glenn McGrath's retirement, and he thinks experience is the key.

He said: “Through what I have done over the last couple of years, I know when to go up and down a gear.

“There are times when you're running in bowling about 95 per cent of your maximum and try to get the ball the right line and length, there are times when you have to go full tilt and that was today. When you need a wicket you have to go up to that next gear.”

After the controversial second Test in Sydney, Lee was pleased day one at the WACA was played in good spirits.

He said: “I have been happy with how the game has been played. It was a lot of fun, there were a few jokes cracked out there, both teams were laughing - hard, tough cricket and that is what cricket is all about.”

India batsman Rahul Dravid returned to his favoured number three position after struggling as an opener in the first two Tests, in which he averaged just 28.

This reaped immediate rewards, with Dravid conjuring a masterful 93. He admits being an opening batsman may not be his best calling.

Rahul Dravid works the ball off his legs in his attractive 93

He said: “I don't know. It's a tough one because I've never done well as an opener. I haven't got to the bottom of it.

“I've spoken to a lot of guys who have opened the batting and batted at number three and in the middle order, and a lot of times you just feel different. It's hard to explain.

"I'm pretty familiar with batting in the position I batted so it was nice."

Dravid was on track to record a century before throwing away his wicket late in the day, skying a catch to Ricky Ponting as he attempted to sweep Symonds over mid-wicket.

“The shot was on,” he said. “I played the shot earlier. When you connect with that it looks okay, but when you don't it looks really stupid.

“I was disappointed, especially coming towards the end of the day and the start of the new ball.

“People have accused us of being negative in the first game, so we have discussed trying to be positive and play our shots and sometimes when you do that, yes, you are going to make some mistakes.

“I think there were some good, fighting performances through the day. We've still got some batting left so hopefully the lower order can contribute a bit and we can get to 400, which we were looking for at the start of the day.”