Summary

  • Australia 173-9, leading by 278, as Cummins (41) caught off Jadeja

  • Hosts bidding to set challenging target amid Bumrah's brilliance

  • India quick takes 4-36 to reduce Australia to 91-6

  • Siraj takes 3-56, including Labuschagne for 70

  • Listen to ABC Grandstand commentary at top of page

  • Fourth Test, day four, Melbourne

Live Reporting

  1. Tailend runs gives Australia edge over India

    Nathan Lyon and Scott BolandGetty Images

    Crucial lower-order runs kept Australia in the ascendancy on a gripping fourth day of the fourth Test against India in Melbourne.

    Batting with a first-innings lead of 105, Australia scraped to 228-9 at the close having been 91-6 in the afternoon after another superb spell from the irresistible Jasprit Bumrah, who took 4-56.

    He bowled debutant Sam Konstas for eight and took three more wickets in a middle-order collapse that saw four wickets fall in 21 balls as India surged back into the contest.

    But Marnus Labuschagne dug in for a vital 70 and put on 57 with captain Pat Cummins, who made 41.

    Both men were put down by Yashasvi Jaiswal – Labuschagne on 46 and Cummins on 21 – in two of four dropped catches by India, three of which were by Jaiswal.

    Nathan Lyon was also dropped on five and went on to frustrate India in an unbroken last-wicket partnership of 55 with Scott Boland that took Australia to the close with a lead of 333 runs.

    The drama continued to the finish, with Bumrah having Lyon caught at slip on 33 in the final over only for Australia's number 10 to be reprieved by a no-ball.

    The Lyon-Boland stand ensured Australia hold the advantage but the hosts' decision to resist the temptation to declare late in the day has enhanced the chances of a draw.

    India will still hold some hope of a successful run-chase on a final day where a win for either side would give them the lead in a fascinating five-Test series that is tied at 1-1.

    Match report

  2. What has happened so far on day four?

    Mohammed SirajGetty Images
    • It has been another fascinating tussle on day four.
    • Australia wrapped up India's innings for the loss of 11 more runs in the morning session
    • Nitish Kumar Reddy was last man out for 114 with the hosts taking a first-innings lead of 105
    • Australia set about posting a target but India's seamers have been brilliant to keep them right in the match.
    • Opener Sam Konstas made only eight in his second Test innings before he was bowled by Jasprit Bumrah.
    • Bumrah also dismissed Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh and Alex Carey in a collapse of four wickets in 22 balls in the afternoon.
    • Marnus Labuschagne made a crucial 70 while three dropped catches could yet cost India.

  3. Reddy ton keeps India in fourth Test

    India's Nitish Kumar Reddy hits maiden Test century against Australia

    India will start day four on 358-9 after Nitish Kumar Reddy hit a superb first Test century to keep India in the fourth Test on day three.

    Playing in his fourth Test and with his father among the India fans in the stands, 21-year-old Reddy made an unbeaten 105 to drag his side from 191-6.

    He put on 127 in 47.1 overs for the eighth wicket with Washington Sundar to frustrate Australia after the early dismissals of Rishabh Pant for 28 and Ravindra Jadeja for 17.

    Sundar fell for 50 with Reddy unbeaten on 97 and when Jasprit Bumrah went for a three-ball duck, the batting all-rounder was at risk of being stranded as last man Mohammed Siraj emerged.

    But Siraj survived the rest of Cummins' over and Reddy, batting at number eight, reached three figures by elegantly driving his 10th four.

    Bad light and rain arrived soon after with India still 116 runs behind - but Reddy's knock means the tourists have hope of earning at least a draw over the final two days, with the series tied at 1-1.