India fight back after North's century

Australia's bowlers built on a century by Marcus North as the tourists seized control of the second and final cricket Test against India on Sunday.

Australia rode on left-hander North's 128 to pile up 478 in their first innings before they were all out at the stroke of tea on the second day at the Chinnaswamy stadium.

The tourists then silenced the estimated 22,000 home fans by removing Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid in the space of one run, before India recovered to end the day on 128-2.

Sehwag smashed a typically robust 30 off 28 balls, including a six over third-man off Mitchell Johnson, before he was caught at deep square-leg off Ben Hilfenhaus.

Dravid edged a catch off Johnson to reduce India to 38-2, but Sachin Tendulkar and Murali Vijay retreived the situation by adding 90 for the unbroken third wicket.

Tendulkar was unbeaten on a fluent 44, having extended his world record tally to 14,017 runs. Vijay kept him company on 42.

Earlier North and wicket-keeper Tim Paine (59) added 149 for the sixth wicket to boost the total as the tourists chase a series-levelling win after losing the dramatic Mohali Test by one wicket.

Left-handed North, battling to save his place in the team after averaging just seven runs in his last six Tests, returned to timely form with his fifth Test century.

North hit 17 boundaries and a six before he was caught in the deep off Harbhajan Singh, who finished as India's most successful bowler with 4-148.

Left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha took 3-120, but fast bowler Shanthakumaran Sreesanth disappointed on his return to the Indian team with 0-79 from 21 overs. BANGALORE, India, Sunday AFP