Clark and Brett Lee proved that confidence was justified. Clark was miserly and dangerous, cancelling an entertaining act from Sachin Tendulkar and finishing the day with 4 for 28, while Lee grabbed 4 for 46 and became the sixth Australian to collect 250 Test wickets.
At stumps Australia had reached 0 for 32 in their second innings with Matthew Hayden on 22 and Phil Jaques on 10 after India were dismissed for 196 late in the day. India's innings finished with a record-equalling moment when Adam Gilchrist clutched a caught-behind off Lee to remove Zaheer Khan for 11 and in doing so drew level with Ian Healy's Australian wicketkeeping mark of 395 Test dismissals.
Brett Lee joined an elite group on Thursday when he became the sixth bowler to take 250 Test wickets for Australia.
The blond speedster reached the illustrious milestone at the MCG on day two of the first Test against India when he combined with wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist to remove visiting captain Anil Kumble.
"It feels fantastic," said Lee, who turned 31 in November.
"I was just saying then, when you're nine years of age you think about just playing one Test match or getting one Test wicket. To think that you're in the 250 club it's a pretty special moment." "I'm a very proud man."
Lee also overtook Richie Benaud on Australia's all-time wickets list.
But things have not always been so rosy for Lee, who became a specialist drinks carrier when he was named Australia's 12th man in nine consecutive Tests after overcoming ankle surgery in 2004.
After playing in Steve Waugh's farewell Test against India in January 2004, Lee did not wear the baggy green until the start of the 2005 Ashes series.
"I couldn't get a game. You appreciate the hard times that you've been through then it makes you appreciate the good times as well," said Lee.
Another ankle injury suffered in New Zealand earlier this year saw Lee miss out on Australia's dominant World Cup defence in the Caribbean, an experience which caused him both mental and physical anguish.
It was also a landmark day for Adam Gilchrist, who equalled predecessor Ian Healy's Australian record of 395 Test dismissals.
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