ADELAIDE. Dec 1 1 (AP/AFP): Fast bowler Glenn McGrath and master leg-spinner Sha-f - ne Warne bowled in ’tandem to thwart India s reply to Australia’s 441 in the first cricket Test at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday.

McGrath and Warne removed an annoying third-wicket pair of Vangipurappu Laxman and Rahul Dravid in the space of 17 runs to reduce the visitors to 123 for lour at stumps on the second day.

Skipper Sachin Tendulkar and Saurav Ganguly survived a testing 28 minutes to remain' unbeaten on J 2 runs apiece.

India's first task at hand will be to score another 119 runs to avoid following on.

There was an early nightmare for India as opening batsman Sadagoppan Ramesh was run out for two in freakish fashion — off the 13th ball of the innings.

Devang Gandhi beautifully drove a ball from McGrath deep on the off-side.

As the opening pair attempted to complete the fourth run which had always appeared to be there. Greg Blewett fastened on to the nail and cannoned in an astonishing return from about 50 metres which struck the stumps on the full at the bowler's end. leaving Ramesh marginally out of his ground.

Umpire Steve Dunne called for a TV replay, which left no doubt that1 the crestfallen Ramesh was out.

That stunning blow was followed quickly by the departure of Gandhi (4), unable to control a McGrath lifter which struck the bat and flew to a gleeful Michael Kasprowicz at backward square leg.

With 9-2 in the fifth over. India faced a mountainous task to re-establish the innings against a still fresh cock-a-hoop Australian attack.

Laxman and Dravid held on valiantly for almost two hours adding 81 precious runs before the return of McGrath brought about the demise of Laxman for

Laxman misjudged the bounce of the short delivery, squirting the ball to the gully, where Steve Waugh pouched the waist-high chance.

The arrival at the crease of Tendulkar created huge excitement among an enthusiastic crowed of more than 16.000.

But. contrary to expectations, the little Master's appearance heralded the quietest period of the game.

In a controlled but aggressive spell. McGrath repeatedly beat Tendulkar with pace and bounce to keep the free-scoring right-hander quiet.

Tendulkar and Dravid, determined to live to fight another day, scrounged a mere 17 runs in the next hour off 91 balls before Dravid (35) perished.

In his 17th over Warne finally pounced, having a probing Dravid snapped up by Justin Langer at short leg.

Tendulkar crafted his cautious 12 in 89 minutes from 69 balls.

India went to the crease after Australia, resuming on 298-5. added 143 for the loss of their last five wickets.

There was early Joy for the tourists as fast bowler Ajit Agarkar struck with the very

first ball of the day, ousting the dangerous Adam Gilchrist for a duck, but that elation turned to near despair as Steve Waugh and Warne regained the ascendancy with a record stand.

With Warne taking to the long handle in invigorating style, the pair fashioned a partnership of 108 in better than even time — the best for the seventh wicket by Australia against India.

Waugh, who became the first batsman in history to score a century against every Test playing nation, resigned to play the role of a sheet-anchor while Warne continued to enjoy his newfound batting form with an aggressive 86.

Warne cut and drove with abundance for most of his 13 boundaries, seven of which came in the space of 28 deliveries between two rain breaks that curtailed play to just 83 minutes before lunch.

The blonde right-hand, made the visitors pay death for Ramesh dropping him on 16 and continued to dominate the seventh-wicket stand until Waugh fell to a tired shot five balls after reaching 150.

Having also survived a catch at the wicket off Anil Kumble. Warne deposited the leg-spinner's next delivery into the crowd over square leg for a massive six as the 20 overs in the pre-lunch session realised 94 runs.

- It*wus -a faster ball from Kumble that finally trapped Warne in front.

The departure of Warne was a special moment for the Indian leggie — it was the first Test wicket in Australia by the man who has an amazing 32 Australian scalps, at an astonishing average of 17.21, in four Tests on his home territory.

Warne said he was disappointed at missing his maiden Test century but joked he never thought he would again hold a media conference for his batting after his 86 against Pakistan.

During the course of his 402-minute stay. Waugh passed West Indian Sir Gary Sobers' 8.032 runs to become the eighlh-high-est run-getter in Test history. He chased a wide delivery from swing bowler Ajit Agarkar (2-86) and gave wicketkeeper Mannava Prasad one of his four catches of the innings.