[VIDEO] Australia vs India 4th Test highlights: Day 3 live scores, blog

Scores of more than fifty for each of Australia‘s top six batsmen led them to another 500-plus total and a quick run-rate ensured they have a lot of time to force a result against India in the final Test of the series. Follow the live scores of the third day from the SCG from ​10:30am (AEDT).​

India bowled better on the second day than they did on the first but by then they had conceded more than 400. Any improvement with the ball was only going to be cursory and not aid their cause in the ongoing game.

LIVE SCORES OF DAY FIVE BETWEEN AUSTRALIA AND INDA

As it turned out, India got rid of both the overnight batsmen, Shane Watson and Steven Smith, in the first session and conceded very little. Smith had hammered his fourth ton in as many games, while Watson missed his first in more than a year.

Shaun Marsh and Joe Burns played themselves in to allow the Indian bowlers to take control of the run-rate but an aggressive approach immediately after the break ensured there would be no late-order hiccups. Both reached their half-centuries as Australia went on to crack 572 in their first innings, before a reasonably early declaration left India with 25 overs to negotiate.

In-form batsman Murali Vijay fell in the first over for a duck and was then given a send-off by Mitchell Starc, something that David Warner had earlier spoken against. More vitally, Starc looked to have found his rhythm as he cranked up his pace to more than 145 kilometres per hour, and even pegged new-comer KL Rahul on to the back foot.

Smith could have given Starc an extra over at Rahul but he opted to use the short-burst strategy to keep the left-armer fresh on what is a docile pitch.

Speaking of the pitch, while there wasn’t too much for the Indian bowlers over the 153 overs they bowled, Starc did extract some bounce, while Nathan Lyon achieved spin. It’s a dry pitch as well and while it’s yet to really crack open, there are chances that Lyon will come into his own over the next couple of days.

Rohit Sharma, who was sent up to the number three spot in place of Cheteshwar Pujara, had a fruitful time despite quite a few pokes and misses, ending unbeaten on 40. More interesting was his approach against Lyon, who he hit for a couple of sixes over the bowler’s head.

India will look to continue taking on Lyon when they get a chance and milk him if that forces Smith to push fielders back. Lyon’s job will be to keep finding that spot on the pitch from where puffs of dust are coming up and the ball’s turning quite a bit.

While it may not be spinning square yet, Lyon will remain a crucial element on the Aussie bowling make-up on the third day.

India need to bat long and hard and ensure they do not fall too far behind on the first innings. If they do, they will be left with a lot to do in the second innings – this does not look like a pitch where you can bat four sessions to survive.

You can follow the live score of the third day of this fourth Australia vs India Test from ​10:30am local time, and post your comments ​in the section ​below.