Melbourne: Shaun Marsh’s fifty helped Australia stretch their lead to 326 runs against India at stumps on day four of the third Test in Melbourne. Marsh (62*) and Ryan Harris (8*) remained unbeaten for hosts with the team ending the day on top with 261 for 7 on board.
The first inning of India folded for 465, adding just three runs to their overnight score, with Mitchell Johnson polishing off the tail without much fuss.
The hosts then rode on David Warner’s pacy 40, Rogers’ patient 69 and Shaun Marsh (62 not out) to reach 261-7 at close on a rain-hit fourth day at the MCG, taking an overall lead of 326 with three wickets in hand.
Indian bowler Ishant Sharma set the ball rolling in the final session of the day, testing the hosts in the channel outside off and was duly rewarded when he picked up Joe Burns. Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav also picked up wickets as India did not give away easy runs. However, Marsh kept his concentration and added useful runs with the support of tail-enders and went on to bring up his first fifty of the series.
With one whole day left, Australia may add a few more runs before declaring the innings and set India a stiff target early tomorrow. India will have to play out of their skin to either win or save the match on a tricky fifth day track.
Rain meanwhile intervention the game after lunch which resulted in a loss of 85 minutes of play and when play resumed, regular wickets fell to leave the hosts at 174/4 in 43 overs at tea, which was taken after an extended second session.
Australia is leading by 2-0 and it need only draw the Melbourne match to wrap up the four-match series and India face a Herculean task to keep the contest alive for the final test in Sydney next week.
Bureau Report
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