Oz eyeing second-ever win on 'spin-friendly' Delhi deck

Sydney, Mar 21 : Australia would be looking to register their second-ever win in the Indian capital, Delhi, where the pitch is expected to favour spinners, in order to salvage some pride in their ongoing four-match Test series against India, which they have already lost 3-0.

Australia has played six Tests at the venue for a single victory, which came in December 1959, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

The dancing feet of Neil Harvey helped the little left-hander hit 114 in Australia's 468 and Richie Benaud spun his way to figures of 3-0 and 5-76 as the tourists claimed victory by an innings and 127 runs.

Since then Australia's record has been loss (1969), draw (1979), draw (1986), loss (1996), draw (2008) and the one-off Test in 1996 marked the inaugural Border-Gavaskar Trophy series.

Spin's links with the venue became even stronger when Indian offie Anil Kumble became the second person behind England's Jim Laker to take 10-for in Test cricket with his 10-74 against Pakistan in 1998/99, the paper said.

The most recent Delhi Test was in November 2011 when India claimed a five-wicket win after bowling West Indies out for 304 and 180, and unsurprisingly off spinner Ravi Ashwin took nine wickets in the match for India.

India's left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja (17 at 18.88) is the only other bowler from either side with more than eight wickets in the series and it's clear India will play to their strength for the Delhi Test, the paper added.

Australia opener and Delhi Daredevils IPL import David Warner has told the Aussies it will be a good batting track for the first couple of days, the paper reported.