Photograph: James Ross/EPA
Here’s Geoff’s report from the MCG. See you back here for day five!
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STUMPS: Australia 228 for 9 leading by 333 runs.
An astounding end to an extraordinary day in an amazing Test.
India threw the first punch of day four, popping the bubble of new sensation Sam Konstas who got an unplayable peach from – who else? – Jasprit Bumrah and walked off for eight. With Australia’s teen talisman gone, India went on a tear before a roaring crowd that has now reached a record high of over 299,000 over the four days.
Mohammed Siraj got rid of Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja before Bumrah blasted out Travis Head (1), Mitchell Marsh (0) and Alex Carey (2). At 91 for 6, Australia looked shot. But two first innings heroes came to the rescue: Marnus Labuschagne scrapped his way to another 70 and captain Pat Cummins added to his 49 with a fighting 41.
The home side got to 148 before India surged back into the contest. Cummins holes out, Mitchell Starc ran himself out and Australia looked down and out at 173 for 9. Enter the unlikely 10th wicket partnmers of Nathan Lyon and Scott Boland. Through guile, luck and courage they inched Australia to a lead of 300 and then went past it.
Their extraordinary 55-run partnership for the 10th wicket has Australia 333 runs ahead. And given the highest score ever chased at the MCG which was 332 back in December 1928, it puts Australia in the box seat to win this fourth Test and take a 2-1 lead into the final match in Sydney.
But it ain’t over til it’s over. And this Test series has twisted and turned like few others. Will Australia’s fast bowlers roll through India tomorrow – or will the niggles to Mitchell Starc and Mitchell Marsh leave them hamstrung? Or can India mount yet another fightback and steal the Test – and the series – with a record-chasing run chase?
Join us tomorrow to find out. One thing’s for sure: it’ll be a day to remember.
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