India staged an extraordinary fightback to win the first Test match in Mohali, by just one wicket.

The Australians claimed four wickets in the opening session to be well on track for victory but a defiant VVS Laxman guided the home side to victory by the narrowest of margins.

Rachel Tinney reports.

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TRANSCRIPT

Despite a back injury the champion batsman proved the difference between the sides.

The Australians had placed themselves in a strong position but a defiant Indian tail-end effort held them at bay.

Ricky Ponting, Australian Cricket Captain: “One of the best one of the most exciting Test matches I’ve played in I’ve played nearly 150 now and I guess that’s right up there in the top of the list.”

Both teams now have until Sunday to prepare for the second of the two-test series in Bangalore.

In NRL, New Zealand national coach Stephen Kearney has signed a three-year deal to coach Parramatta.

The former Melbourne Storm assistant replaces Daniel Anderson who was sacked after the Eels finished 12th in this year’s premiership.

Meanwhile motor racing fans are well prepared for their annual trek to Bathurst’s Mount Panorama race track.

Interest in Sunday’s race will centre on the pairing of Mark Scaiffe and Craig Lowndes who have nine Bathurst titles between them.

Craig Lowndes, Bathurst 1000 Driver: “We had to provide obviously a short list of people that we wanted to and we thought confident to drive with come this time of year and Mark was the top of my list.”

Rachel Tinney, QUT News.