Australia are 7/261 at stumps on day 4 of the third Test in Melbourne leading India by 326 runs after a day disrupted by rain.
Mitchell Johnson removed the remaining Indian batsmen with only 8 balls early on day 4. With two sharp catches behind the stumps, Johnson sent Yadav and Shami packing without any damage done to the scoreboard and Australia went to the crease 65-runs ahead.
Shaun Marsh and Chris Rogers played the nicest cricket for the Aussies with some vintage driving and shots square of the wicket. Marsh remains on 62* while Rogers was bowled by Ashwin for 69.
Rogers hit his 4th half-century in a row which included 8 boundaries mostly straight or square of the wicket. His luscious timing and willingness to play shots must settling for the Australian selectors to see after his previous form slump.
Similarly dogged by positional rumours, Shaun Marsh needed a good innings and has supplied just what the Australians needed deep into the second innings with a technically gifted batting display.
Watson, Burns and Haddin didn’t trouble the Indian bowlers too much and were undone by some good line bowling. Steve Smith fell annoyingly to the ‘leg-side tactics’ of the Indians after glancing a shot to a sneaky leg-slip on 14.
“We’d love to be a few less wickets down, but it is what it is, and at 7 for 261 with a lead of 326, we’re pretty positive,” commented Australian opener David Warner who did not seem too troubled by a bruised thumb during his knock of 40 from 42 balls that included 8 boundaries.
“We’ve got to try and bat as much as we can. We can steer the ship from here as much as we like. We’ve got time tomorrow to see what is enough.”
The record final day total chased down at the MCG is 322 achieved by England in 1922. India’s highest run-chase in Australia was 233 11 years ago at the Adelaide Oval when a stubborn Rahul Dravid led them to victory.
Warner’s comments suggest the Australian’s will bat on into a lengthened day 5 tomorrow. 96 overs will be bowled to make up for time lost due to rain and one thing is for certain, Australia will need to bowl India out to win.
