The sky sported several hues. It was cloudy, then sunshine ruled before it turned grey again.
Like Melbourne’s famous weather, the third Test has changed colours; from a period of Australian dominance to an Indian fightback before the hosts pulled ahead again.
Australia was 261 for seven at stumps, 326 ahead of India on a surface that tested the batsmen here on day four. Batting on the last day could be demanding.
Shaun Marsh, battling for his place, batted well. Between periods of defence, the left-hander essayed some flowing drives. Timing is an attribute he possesses. Marsh (62 batting) has flair.
An on-the-walk drive through mid-wicket off R. Ashwin was a lot about quality.
Sadly, for a match that has been so intensely fought, some acrimony was on view again. Mitchell Johnson appeared distinctly unhappy with what was said on the field after being bounced out by Mohammed Shami. Soon, the two umpires had a word with Virat Kohli.
Cricket, of course, was engaging. Ashwin got the ball to turn. A few deliveries jumped from the rough. Ishant operated to a good rhythm, posing questions to the batsmen on or around the off-stump.
Yet, crucial quick wickets eluded India at the start; openers David Warner and Chris Rogers added 57. Given Australia had a first innings lead of 65, India needed to make early inroads.
A dense cloud-cover prevailing, the conditions were ideal for swing but the Indians did not quite utilise the new ball.
Umesh Yadav and Shami sprayed it around. Ishant could have bowled from one of the ends.
A sore thumb and forearm notwithstanding, Warner batted with a measure of confidence. The southpaw cut, drove and pulled Yadav to go past 3,000 runs in Tests. And Shami was bludgeoned through the off-side.
Ashwin cut Warner’s innings short, beating the left-hander’s tentative push with drift and winning a leg-before decision.
Chris Rogers’s strength is how close he keeps the bat to his body. And his top-hand grip is his ally when he drives the ball down the ground.
On more than one occasion, Ishant was straight driven.
The left-hander’s ideal grip also allows him to drive with clinical precision through covers. Both Ishant and Shami were creamed past this area.
Rogers (69) got to another fifty – his fourth successive half century of the series – when Ashwin nailed him with some clever bowling.
The off-spinner followed a delivery that spun away from the left-hander with one that skidded through with the arm.
Shane Watson’s tenure ended when Ishant found the right length and direction – on a good length just outside-off. The all-rounder, his spot under the scanner, was lured into a perilous drive.
This was an innings when the Indians prised out their scourge, Steven Smith, early. The in-form Aussie got a touch to a delivery down leg-side from Yadav to be well held by Ajinkya Rahane at leg-slip. Perhaps the Indians had a plan in place.
The Aussies lost batsmen at regular intervals. Joe Burns chased one from Ishant to be held by a diving Dhoni.
And there was another wicket for Yadav down the leg-side when Brad Haddin might have got a tickle. The Australian was unconvinced.
With Australia 202 for six, the Indians were upbeat. Then, Marsh came good when his side needed him to.
In the morning, Johnson blew away the Indian tail.
Since rain cut into play, the final day’s play will start at 4.30 a.m IST.
Scoreboard
Australia — 1st innings: 530.
India — 1st innings: M. Vijay c Marsh b Watson 68 (135b, 7x4), S. Dhawan c Smith b Harris 28 (51b, 3x4), C. Pujara c Haddin b Harris 25 (71b, 2x4), V. Kohli c Haddin b Johnson 169 (272b, 18x4), A. Rahane lbw b Lyon 147 (171b, 21 x 4), K. L. Rahul c Hazlewood b Lyon 3 (8b), M.S. Dhoni c Haddin b Harris 11 (23b, 1x4), R. Ashwin c & b Harris 0 (4b), M. Shami c Smith b Johnson 12 (30b, 1x4), U. Yadav c Haddin b Johnson 0 (2b), Ishant (not out) 0 (6b); Extras (lb-1, w-1) 2; Total (in 128.5 overs): 465.
Fall of wickets: 1-55 (Dhawan), 2-108 (Pujara), 3-147 (Vijay), 4-409 (Rahane), 5-415 (Rahul), 6-430 (Dhoni), 7-434 (Ashwin), 8-462 (Kohli), 9-462 (Yadav).
Australia bowling: Johnson 30.5-6-135-3, Harris 26-7-70-4, Hazlewood 25-6-75-0, Watson 16-3-65-1, Lyon 29-3-108-2, Smith 2-0-11-0.
Australia — 2nd innings: D. Warner lbw b Ashwin 40 (42b, 6x4), C. Rogers b Ashwin 69 (123b, 8x4), S. Watson c Dhoni b Ishant 17 (34b, 1x4), S. Smith c Rahane b Yadav 14 (27b, 2x4), S. Marsh (batting) 62 (131b, 8x4, 1x6), J. Burns c Dhoni b Ishant 9 (17b), B. Haddin c Dhoni b Yadav 13 (27b), M. Johnson c Rahane b Shami 15 (27b, 2x4), R. Harris (batting) 8 (27b); Extras (lb-8, w-1, nb-5) 14, ;Total (for seven wkts in 75 overs): 261.
Fall of wickets: 1-57 (Warner), 2-98 (Watson), 3-131 (Smith), 4-164 (Rogers), 5-176 (Burns), 6-202 (Haddin), 7-234 (Johnson).
India bowling: Yadav 14-1-73-2, Shami 20-2-75-1, Ishant 19-4-49-2, Ashwin 22-2-56-2.
