MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Andrew Symonds struck just before the break to reduce India, chasing a mammoth 499 to win the first test against Australia, to 56 for two at lunch on the fourth day on Saturday.

Symonds, who had begun bowling medium pace before switching to off-spin, trapped Rahul Dravid lbw for 15 in the final over before the interval.

The only other batsman dismissed in the session was Wasim Jaffer, who was caught by wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist off Brett Lee for 15. Vangipurappu Laxman was on 21 with Sachin Tendulkar on two at lunch.

Resuming on six without loss, the Indian openers began positively before Australia's pace bowlers again settled into a tight rhythm supported by superb fielding.

The only real drama before the final over was when a Lee bouncer appeared to brush Jaffer's gloves and the ball went through to Gilchrist, who completed the catch.

CANCELLED OUT

Lee, however, had over-stepped and was called for a no ball by umpire Billy Bowden. It was the third time in the match that wickets have been cancelled out due to bowlers over-stepping.

Jaffer, however, failed to capitalise when he was dismissed three balls later feathering a catch to Gilchrist, who overtook Ian Healy for the most dismissals by an Australian wicketkeeper.

They had shared the record of 395 after Gilchrist took four catches in the first innings.

South Africa's Mark Boucher, who is playing in the first test against West Indies, holds the world record with 406 dismissals. No other active player has more than 200.

Dravid and Laxman, mindful that India would need to bat for another five sessions to save the test, then adopted a defensive attitude and the total only reached 50 in the 32nd over.

The highest total batting fourth on the Melbourne Cricket Ground was the 417 made by England in the Centenary test in 1977 after being set 463 for victory.

Australia are seeking their 15th successive test win and chasing the world record of 16 victories in a row set by Steve Waugh's Australia team from 1999-2001.

(Editing by Ed Osmond)