Australia 174/4, extend lead to 239 runs

Melbourne: Australia made a confident start to their second innings, reaching 90 for one, thereby extending the overall lead to 155 runs at lunch on day four of the third Test against India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground here Monday.

Chris Rogers (not out 33) and Shane Watson (batting 15) were at the crease for Australia when the umpires declared lunch. Spinner Ravichandran Ashwin picked up the wicket of opener David Warner 40 (42 balls, six fours).

Earlier in the session, India were bowled out for 465 runs in their first innings, conceding a lead of 65 runs.

Resuming at the overnight score of 462 for eight, India lost Umes Yadav (0) in the second ball of the day for zero and then Mohammed Shami (12) shortly after.

Both wickets were taken by Mitchell Johnson to finish his innings tally at three wickets for 135 runs. Australia made 530 in their first innings.

India needed early wickets to put pressure on the home team after conceding a sizeable first innings lead.

But their efforts were undone by wayward bowling coupled with some aggressive batting by the Australian openers, particularly David Warner.

The Indian pacers needlessly bowled short to make it easier for Warner to score as he cut and pulled at every given opportunity.

He gave Australia a flying start, with the hosts racing to 57 runs in 14 overs.

The signs were ominous for India and it seemed Warner would take the game away from them but spinner Ravichandran Ashwin halted their acceleration, dismissing Warner leg before wicket.

Watson and Rogers then combined to comfortably bat through till lunch.