Perth, Jan 16 : Team India made 297 runs for the loss of six wickets against Australia at the end of first day's play at Perth.

The middle order failed to build on the good work done by the duo of Rahul Dravid (93) and Sachin Tendulkar (71). Brett Lee was the pick of the bowlers as he claimed three crucial wickets for the home team.

Both the teams fought hard and set the stage for a great show on the second day of the third Test match of the Border-Gavasker Trophy.

Lee sent shock waves down the Indian batting line-up as he took the wicket of VVS Laxman for a score of 27 runs. The Australian seamers tested the Indian batsmen's skills to the fullest and emerged as winners by claiming three crucial wickets in quick time.

The impetus is now on MS Dhoni and Irfan Pathan to guide the visitors to a safe total.

Dravid missed out on hitting a century against Australia. After standing on the crease as a wall, the classy batsman fell for 93. Ricky Ponting caught Dravid at mid-off on the bowling of Andrew Symonds.

Earlier, Sourav Ganguly fell to Mitchell Johnson for a score of nine runs. He was caught brilliantly by Mike Hussey. Ganguly fell soon after Tendulkar was out for 71.

Prior to this, Lee claimed the prized wicket of Tendulkar. He was out LBW to a tearing fast delivery from the speedster. Tendulkar was involved in a crucial partnership of 139 runs for the third wicket with Dravid.

The experienced duo of Tendulkar and Dravid used their skills to the maximum and helped India cross 100 runs post lunch of the first day. They milked the Australian pacers for precious runs and improvised on the loose deliveries to dispatch them for boundaries.

Lee struck early in his spell as he claimed the wicket of Wasim Jaffer who scored 19 runs. With both the openers back in the pavilion, the onus was on Tendulkar and Dravid on the crease to stabilise the Indian innings. India was 59 runs for the loss of two wickets.

Australian pacer Mitchell Johnson drew first blood for his team as he claimed the wicket of Virender Sehwag when he looked set to play a big innings.

The batsman edged an outswinging delivery into the hands of Adam Gilchrist as the shot was played too close to the body. He departed after scoring 29 runs and India were 57 runs for the loss of a wicket.

Teams:

Australia (Playing XI): Chris Rogers, Phil Jaques, Ricky Ponting(c), Mike Hussey, Michael Clarke, Andrew Symonds, Adam Gilchrist(w), Brett Lee, Stuart Clark, Mitchell Johnson, Shaun Tait

India (Playing XI): Wasim Jaffer, Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman, Mahendra Singh Dhoni(w), Irfan Pathan, Anil Kumble(c), Ishant Sharma, Rudra Pratap Singh.

ANI