INDIA'S batsmen will need to pull out all the stops if they are to save the first Test in Melbourne with Australia, having been set a formidable victory target of 499.

The tourists were just six for nought at stumps on day three after the Aussies declared on 351 for seven, supplementing their first innings lead of 147.

Although a draw is their best hope, India will write their names in the record books if they do pull an unlikely win out of the fire.

Their highest fourth innings winning total is 406, achieved against West Indies in Port of Spain in 1976, and the largest score by a victorious side batting last in any match remains the Caribbean side's 418 to beat Australia four years ago.

Michael Clarke top scored for Australia with 73 before he succumbed in the evening session, stumped by Mahendra Singh Dhoni off leg-spinner Anil Kumble, as he pushed for quick runs ahead of the declaration.

Adam Gilchrist made a brisk 35 before he holed out in the deep off Harbhajan Singh, but the declaration did not come until Brad Hogg had added an unbeaten 35, with Brett Lee 11 not out.

Throughout the afternoon Andrew Symonds and Clarke had increased the hosts' advantage, the former hitting four fours and two sixes before he was trapped lbw by Zaheer Khan for 44 as Australia reached tea with a lead of 395.

Australia began the day 35 without loss and Phil Jaques (50) and Matthew Hayden (47) ensured their team-mates had a good platform on which to build.