MICHAEL CLARKE hit a majestic unbeaten 329 before declaring Australia’s first innings at 659 for four with a lead of 468 on the third day of the second Test against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground yesterday.

India, despite facing a fine spell from paceman Ben Hilfenhaus, were 114-2 at the close of play, with opener Gautam Gambhir (68) and Sachin Tendulkar, who had made eight from 42 balls, set to resume on day four.

The Australia captain’s triple century was just the 25th in Test cricket and the fourth highest Test score by an Australian. It was also the 14th highest by any batsman and the highest in 100 Tests over more than a century at the SCG.

More importantly for Australia, with support from Ricky Ponting (134) and Mike Hussey (150 not out), Clarke’s innings rescued the hosts from 37-3 and put them in an excellent position to take a 2-0 lead in the four-match series.

Clarke brought up the 300 shortly after lunch, flicking the ball through midwicket off the bowling of Ishant Sharma for the 37th four of his innings, becoming the 21st cricketer to reach the milestone.

Selflessly passing up the chance to break any more records, Clarke called time on his best Test innings a ball after Hussey had reached his 150, leaving his bowlers two-and-a-half days to get the tourists out.

The Australia captain had Don Bradman’s highest innings of 334, subsequently matched by Mark Taylor, within his grasp and, on a benign wicket, could conceivably gone on to challenge Brian Laras world record unbeaten 400.

“I didn’t have Don Bradman and Mark Taylor’s score in my head whatsoever,” he told reporters afterwards. “It was about trying to get the team to a total which I thought was a really good for a declaration and then get out there and try have a crack and take a couple of wickets this afternoon. That’s all I was thinking about”

Clarke had faced 478 balls, batted for 10 hours and 17 minutes, and scored 40 boundaries when he left the pitch to another huge ovation.

Hussey and his captain had put on 334 for the fifth wicket, eclipsing the previous highest partnership for Australia against India of 288, which Clarke set with Ricky Ponting on Wednesday.