Michael Clarke plundered his highest Test score and Ricky Ponting secured his first Test century in two years as Australia batted India out of contention of the second Test on just the second day. Closing on 4/482, Australia now has a lead of 291 and should have done enough to secure a two Test lead in the four Test series.

Australia's captain batted majestically and scored over 200 runs during the course of the day to finish unbeaten on 251. His predecessor as skipper advanced to a celebrated 134 while Mike Hussey also filled his boots, milking a late 55 from India's disconsolate attack.

The Australian run-fest was as unexpected as it was welcome. 13 wickets fell on day one and with Australia's batting woes well documented a first-innings lead of any description would have been well received, let alone the match-winning one delivered by Clarke and Ponting.

For the first time in what feels like an eternity Australia made batting look easy - and the key was footwork. From arriving at the crease on Tuesday Clarke was his twinkle-toed best. One of the nimblest movers in the modern game Clarke's feet manoeuvred him into textbook positions from which to unpick India's attack. He founded his innings on busy pushes and scurried singles but as his feet and hands synchronised, his timing improved, his power increased, and he grew in stature at the crease.

Ponting was never as fluid but for him simply returning to type was a major achievement. The longer Ponting batted the more upright he became at address, the straighter his blade came through and the more relaxed and nonchalant he held himself. His third score in succession over 60 has repaid the faith shown in him by the national selectors and earned the Tasmanian breathing space in his bid to be in control of when time is called on his record-breaking career.

India did its bit to help Australia's middle order into form. Ponting and Clarke passed fifty shortly after play resumed and once the first hour or so had been navigated MS Dhoni adopted negative, almost limited overs tactics. By midmorning it was obvious the day would be about how many the right-handers would help themselves to as India appeared unwilling to fight once wickets became hard to come by. A short revival was threatened when the new ball was taken but India's attack looked tired and uninspired.

Clarke was first to his century, slapping a cover drive on the up shortly before lunch. A nervous interval did not perturb Ponting and he relieved two years of frustration shortly afterwards. But only just. A nervy single to mid on would have had the centurion stranded by two metres had Ishant Sharma hit the stumps at the non-striker's end. He missed, Ponting dived and pushed his soiled self upright with the broadest, most content smile one could envisage in such a situation. There was no badge kissing or chest thumping, just a pair of raised arms and a bat pointed in recognition of a job well done.

The partnership grew to 288 before Ponting attempted one forcing shot too many. A drive on the rise off the second new ball grew on him and he skewed Sharma to Sachin Tendulkar at point.

The story then became about Clarke and what he could achieve. He passed 168, his previous highest Test score. He then racked up his first Test double-century - celebrated with greater relish than his initial milestone. He then passed 200 runs for the day as he climbed the leaderboard of the SCG's greatest Test innings. 250 was scaled in the final over of the day and with time on his side and the declaration in his control, Thursday has the potential to bear witness to greatness.

This is not a vintage Australian side, nor is this a vintage Test series but performances like Clarke's and Ponting's today deserve celebrating all the same.