Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne scored battling half-centuries to stretch Australia’s lead over India Sunday to 276 and put them in pole position to win the third Test and go 2-1 up in the series.
Resuming day four in Sydney at 103 for two, the hosts reached 182 for four at lunch with first innings century-maker Smith unbeaten on 58 and Cameron Green 20, leaving captain Tim Paine to ponder when to declare.
Labuschagne was one of two wickets to fall, departing for a well-constructed 73 after his first innings 91, caught by substitute wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha off Navdeep Saini.
Matthew Wade was out for four, with Saini and Saha again doing the damage.
After India were bowled out for 244 in reply to Australia’s 338, Labuschagne resumed on 47 and Smith 29 with India needing an early breakthrough to keep their hopes of winning alive.
Labuschagne should have fallen second ball, but an appalling error by Hanuma Vihari left bowler Jasprit Bumrah clutching his face in…