How much longer would Australia bat?

How much longer would Australia bat?

On the second morning Australia, who were 400-5 overnight, must have been in a quandary about when to declare. 

Ricky Ponting believes Australia's ploy of making India follow-on would be a folly. At first that sounds bizarre since the match is being played on Australian soil and not India.  

Maybe Ponting probably knows a thing, most don't.

Last season Australia has forced England to follow-on in Melbourne and lost the following Test at Sydney.  In Barbados this year against West Indies, the same pattern repeated and the Aussie bowlers lost the Antigua Test in a world record chase. 

Another thing that must be playing on Ponting's mind is the defeat at Eden Gardens two years ago when Australia enforced the follow-on and lost the match after a monumental 281 from VVS Laxman.  

But with Adam Gilchrist and Andy Bichel gone, Australia will be happy to declare at 575-600.