David Warner hammered a second century in the match and helped Australia to an almost-unassailable lead by the end of the fourth day of the first Test against India. You can follow the live blog of the fifth day from the Adelaide Oval starting 10:30am (AEDT).
After Nathan Lyon’s five-wicket haul in the first innings helped Australia to a healthy 73-run lead, Warner pressed home the advantage as he rode his luck to a century.
It was his 11th Test century and the second time he has made two in the same Test, seeing Australia ahead by 363 runs.
On a day when tempers flared for the first time in the series, India capitulated in a manner that was expected from them given the pedigree of their lower-order.
Once Rohit Sharma became the first overnight batsman to be dismissed, the rest of the batsmen followed quickly enough. Rohit’s chip back to Lyon set up a soft dismissal for the Mumbai middle-order batsman, not for the first time in his Test career.
Wriddhiman Saha fought on for a gritty 25 and was unlucky to be given out, caught in the slips off the pad, but the remaining batsmen offered no resistance.
Karn Sharma and Mohammad Shami seemed to have come out knowing just one way to bat and they perished swinging. Karn failed to trouble the scorers too much while Shami piled on a lucky 34. Ishant Sharma’s forward-prod off Lyon got him another duck in Test match cricket.
It was then the turn of Warner to turn on the heat, but the temperature also rose between the players.
Warner got into a tiff with Varun Aaron that threatened to escalate into something nastier before captain Virat Kohli intervened. The in-form batsman later admitted in the press conference he should have kept his emotions in check.
Later it was the turn of Kohli to turn on the heat on Steven Smith after he got into an argument with Rohit Sharma. This time Warner got the Indian captain off his mate’s back.
Amid all of this, Warner was bowled off a no-ball, caught down the leg-side but not given by the umpires and then dropped at the wide slip before he completed his century. He was dismissed soon after.
Smith wasted no time in hitting his straps and getting to his half-century but it was Mitchell Marsh’s 26-ball 40 that game Australia the final impetus in the day.
Captain Michael Clarke did not risk a declaration late on the fourth day but is bound to make a call overnight to set the Indians this aforementioned target in the 98 remaining overs on the final day.
Batting on the final day in Adelaide will not be an easy task, particularly for an Indian team which has only twice survived more than 98 overs in the final innings of a Test since 2000.
Lyon will remain the key on a wearing pitch but look out for Mitchell Johnson, who could come out more fired up than he was in the first innings after what transpired on the fourth day.
Join me for the fifth day of this first Test between Australia and India. Follow the live score from 10am local time and post your comments in the section below.
Chez
Guest
I absolutely love cricket! What I don't like is when they have a go at each other especially Kohli & Johnson and Haddin just a few minutes ago! Can we do without that stuff please! That's just not cricket!!
Tom from Perth
Roar Rookie
He's no Jason Behrendorff.
Craig Watson
Guest
Great win 'baggies'. Got a little too close for comfort...phew ! Special performances from Davey Warner, Steve Smith, Virat Kohli and Nathan Lyon. Do not rate Hazlewood until we have all seen what he can do at test level. I have seen what he can do playing for his country already when he guided Australia to win the 2010 U19 World Cup. Well called Suneer.
Nudge
Guest
Professor if Kohli and Vijay had of been given out when they should have been, then who knows the way there tail folded it could have been over by tea
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
Fantastic game of cricket played in a great attacking spirit by both sides. I was on the local community Xmas party BBQ for 3 hours this afternoon so could only hear snatches of the game on the radio. Brilliant partnership between Vijay and Kohli. At 2/240 they were looking at a real chance of a win. I loved the way Kohli and the rest of the Indian team fought for a win rather than settle for a sedate draw. Perhaps we can thank T20 and one day cricket for the way teams are more prepared to go for a win today in test matches today than they would have 30 years ago. And congratulations to Nathan Lyon for the way he bowled. He looks much more dangerous bowling over the wicket into the rough outside the right handers off stump than he used to bowling around the wicket. Brings so many more chances of taking wickets. So much to like about this match. The batting of Smith, Warner and Kohli was fantastic. Great advertisement for test cricket and well attended by the people of Adelaide - what a fantastic venue. Just how you want to see cricket played with a result deep into the fifth day.
Nudge
Guest
Yep I've gone overboard with the wiping big fella. Bloody big pie, jump straight in the shower. All the best too ya
Bobbo7
Guest
He has done a lot for his credibility here in this test. Good fighting cricketer. Good to see
Bobbo7
Guest
Agree, Wason is good for 32 at best. For all his potential, he has just not done the business and he isn't getting any younger
Shortfineleg
Guest
Fudge, you're a broken record, record, record. And obsessed with wiping stuff from a face. You sound like you are unconsciously pining for one of your bathhouse visits.
Don Freo
Guest
No Hurta...there's a few others like you...but you're all wrong. Hazlewood is very, very good...and a wonderful fill in while the West Australian boys get fit.
Jo M
Guest
At least he did it finally. How much confidence is he going to get out of this now knowing he can win us a game.
Jo M
Guest
When you hear the likes of Greg Matthews who never has a good thing to say about Clarke saying he should be put out of the team and the likes of Hayden and many others criticising the first declaration, you have to wonder. Thank god they weren't ever captain of the team. This is going to do Nathan Lyon the world of good with his confidence because now he knows he can do it.
Nudge
Guest
Keep wiping buddy, she's a bloody big pie. How many tissues you need to get it all off? Oh far out terrible times for fudgy
Matt
Guest
Only got to watch today, great game, love it when anyone can win (albeit a huge 4th innings score if they could pull it off!)
Scott Pryde
Expert
Im thinking Warner
Matt
Guest
A few good games doesn't make up for all the average ones in the middle, though. See: Marcus North. The pitch was perfect for spin, and he did well. Give it a few games and no doubt there'll be questions again... No-one banging down the door though. Similar to Clarke's spot there's a few decent options but no-one stands out, so will always be question marks over who it should be.
Shortfineleg
Guest
Fudge, you have definitively proven the 'low bar for Lyon' theory - 35 tests to win a test, and you wet yourself. Or maybe you are too dull to recognise it. My moneys on the latter.
Nudge
Guest
Keep at it SFL, cracker. Wipe that pie off your chin. Far out mate how big is the bugga. It's all over your nose as well. Lol
Shortfineleg
Guest
Fudgy, pull your fat head in. Declaring peace in our time because he finally does what he is picked for? With huge footmarks and a 5th day wicket, it is about time. You may as well go and applaud a road crew for fixing a pothole. Australia would have have a few more victories with O'Keefe.
Bluebag
Guest
What a wonderful game of cricket - a Test match in every way. Congratulations to both teams.