Border Gavaskar Trophy 2003/04: An enthralling series and farewell to Steve Waugh

Third Test - Melbourne

Ponting tormented the Indian bowling attack with a brilliant innings of 257

Australia wanted to restore normalcy to the series but a century opening partnership and a determined 195 by Virender Sehwag powered India. Disappointing performances from others resulted in a below-par score of 366.

A century by Mathew Hayden and another double century by Ricky Ponting helped Australia post a mammoth 558. Anil Kumble bowled his heart out and took 6 wickets. With another listless performance with the bat, Indians managed to score only 286 despite scores of 92 and 73 by Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly respectively.

The disciplined bowling performance by Brett Lee, Nathan Bracken, Brad Williams and Stuart MacGill ensured Australia only had a target of 95 to get which they did with ease. Negligible contributions from the Indian lower order hurt India while the bowling did not bowl well in tandem and Ashish Nehra disappointed.

With the series level at 1-1, the stage was set for a mouth-watering final at Sydney.