Michael Clarke steadies Australia innings to 316-7 against India

Michael Clarke's century at the crease has steadied Australia's innings on the opening day of the first Test against India.

The visitors started strongly by reaching 126-2 by lunch, but India's Ravichandran Ashwin kept his opponents quiet by recording his sixth five-wicket haul in Test cricket.

Ed Cowan, David Warner, Phillip Hughes, Shane Watson and Matthew Wade were all dismissed by the all-rounder, who left the Aussies on 153-5, but it was Clarke who rescued the tourists by scoring a century and totting up their run-rate.

Moises Henriques also contributed to the opening day by trying to halt the spin of India and give Australia a comfortable lead heading into the second day.

Despite a strong innings, Henriques was dismissed from the crease on 68 from Ashwin, who reminded the Aussies of their opponents' threat.

Ravindra Jadeja also got on the wicket-sheet by ending Mitchell Starc's time with the bat on just three runs.

Clarke (103) and Peter Siddle (1) will continue the Aussie's innings tomorrow on 316-7.