The task of scoring 266 to beat India was made even more difficult for Australia when they were docked two overs for a slow over rate as the ICC KnockOut quarter-final started to build to a thrilling climax on Saturday.

But despite the handicap, the 1999 World Cup champions looked set to make a decent fist of it as they reached 140 for three at the 25-over mark. At that stage, Ricky Ponting had played himself in for 38 while one-day specialist Michael Bevan was on 29.

The Australians had lost Mark Waugh in the eighth over for 7 when he carved at a wide one outside off stump from Ajit Agarkar and top edged a catch down to Anil Kumble at third man.

Adam Gilchrist, who had taken 33 off 33 balls, including an uppercut six over third man off Zaheer Khan, tried to pull the left-arm quick through midwicket in the ninth over but got underneath the shot and succeeded only in lobbing it to Saurav Ganguly at mid-on.

Australia had sent in Ian Harvey to pinch-hit at the fall of the first wicket and he made 25 off 24 deliveries before falling to a brilliant catch by Yuvrav Singh who leaped to his left at wide mid-off to cling onto a stinging drive. The catch gave Venkatesh Prasad his first wicket of the innings.

At the 15-over mark Australia were 84 for two, seven better than India at the same stage while after 25 overs India had been 131 for four. A huge six and a four from Ponting off successive deliveries from Prasad had edged Australia ahead in a straight comparison, but the two overs lost through tardiness in the field looked likely still to come back and haunt Australia.

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