Australia 430 & 193-5 India 360: Watson helps Australia set up tight finale

Shane Watson was confident last night that a strong showing from Australia's bowlers today would enable them to win the first Test against India. All-rounder Watson played a leading role as Australia fought back to finish day four on 193 for 5, with a lead of 263.

Quick runs could lead to a declaration from Ricky Ponting – and Watson, who had figures of 3 for 45 in India's first innings, certainly believes victory is within sight. He said: "We are in a good position and we could bat on for an hour."

Watson believes 70 overs ought to be enough to force a result with the ball. "The ball is 'reversing' pretty quickly, and that's very handy for our quicks," he said. "The wicket is deteriorating a little bit, but nowhere near as much as I thought it would. But we definitely need to bowl extremely well to bowl the Indians out."

Australia were in danger of losing a grip on proceedings after a middle-order slump – but Watson and Brad Haddin put them on the front foot once again with a sixth-wicket partnership of 65.

India's fielding coach Robin Singh conceded Australia are firmly in control. "We are pretty sure Australia will declare some time tomorrow. It's just a question of when," he said.

"We have to just make sure that we bat well. We have a top-class batting side, so I'm not too worried. I think Australia have to make all the calls here."

India duo Ishant Sharma and Harbhajan Singh had claimed two wickets each as Australia's hopes of winning the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar series appeared to dim.

Zaheer Khan, India's number nine batsman, had bludgeoned an unbeaten 57 in the morning session at the Chinnaswamy Stadium before India were eventually bowled out for 360, a deficit of only 70 runs.

Australia's chances of winning then lay in amassing quick runs, but India's bowlers strangled them with an accurate line. Zaheer effected the first breakthrough when he trapped opener Matthew Hayden in front.

Ponting then chipped a catch to midwicket to go cheaply off pace bowler Sharma. Simon Katich shared a 50-run partnership with Michael Hussey, before jabbing at one that bounced more than usual from off-spinner Harbhajan to be caught at silly point.

Michael Clarke and Hussey then fell in quick succession, the former driving in the air at Sharma and the left-hander bowled by one Harbhajan got to turn sharply as the batsman shaped to leave. But Haddin and Watson then left Australia in a position of relative comfort with their unbeaten sixth-wicket stand.

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