Australia's bowlers are looking forward to making use of a feisty Gabba pitch when India bats on the third day of the first cricket Test.

Australia will resume at 9-323 on the third day with Nathan Bracken on six and Stuart MacGill on one.

India ripped through Australia, claiming 7-61 to restore some balance to the Test, with Zaheer Khan taking 5-95 with superb control over his line and length on the helpful pitch.

India's fightback was helped by some needless runouts from the Australians - especially Damien Martyn's controversial mix-up with Steve Waugh - and gave India some hope after the home side reached 2-262 on the first day.

Only 16 overs were possible on the second day as rain and bad light took five hours out of the day and the pitch will still be fresh for Australia's pace bowlers.

Jason Gillespie, the premier fast bowler in the absence of Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee with injury, was already planning his assault on Sachin Tendulkar and his team-mates.

"There's a lot in the pitch still and I can't wait to bowl on it," Gillespie said.

The second day's play featured some controversial moments, with former Australian captain Greg Chappell slamming Waugh for walking onto the field before Justin Langer had left, robbing the opener of due adulation for his innings of 121.

And Chappell blamed Waugh for Martyn's runout and suggested the emotion of the skipper's farewell tour had clouded his judgement.

Waugh's own innings - possibly his last at the Gabba - lasted four balls with the skipper out for a duck after stepping on his wicket.

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