Australia vs India: Scott Boland, Nathan Lyon put Aussies in box seat after day four

Australia has finished a topsy-turvy day four in the box seat to secure victory in the Boxing Day Test — but only after India fumbled its chances to take control. RECAP DAY FOUR’S KEY MOMENTS

Four dropped catches, a no-ball and the stubborn resistance of Australia’s last-wicket pair thwarted frustrated India’s push for a trophy-retaining victory as the stage was set for a grandstand finish to the Boxing Day Test.

Jasprit Bumrah crashed through the 200-Test wicket barrier to yet again decimate the Aussies but Marnus Labuschagne and Pat Cummins took advantage of lives as Australia ensured India would be set a target beyond 300 on the final day at the MCG.

Nathan Lyon (41 not out) and Scott Boland (10 not out) had combined for an unlikely stand of 55 at stumps to leave the Aussies at 9-228 in their second innings, leading by 333.

India’s opening tyro Yashasvi Jaiswal was the primary culprit for the tourists, spilling three catches whose cumulative cost could prove the difference come the end of the match and indeed the series.

Recap our live coverage of the pivotal day in the blog below

Jaiswal put down Usman Khawaja at leg gully on two, Labuschagne at gully on 46 and Cummins at silly point on 21. They all made useful bonus contributions after being spared, with Khawaja eking out 21, Labuschagne reaching 70 for his second half-century of the match and Cummins eventually falling for 41 after a first innings 49.

Mohammed Siraj was unable to grasp a return chance from Lyon on five, with the Australian No. 10 making plenty of his opportunity as he combined with No. 11 Boland.

Lyon was caught in the final over of the day by KL Rahul in the cordon only to be recalled when cameras showed Bumrah had overstepped.

Nathan Lyon and Scott Boland frustrated India. Picture: Michael Klein

Indian captain Rohit Sharma fumed at Jaiswal after the drop of Labuschagne, gesticulating angrily, an act that drew criticism from Australian great Mike Hussey.

“I’ve got to be honest, I don’t like that reaction from the Indian skipper,” Hussey said on Fox Cricket.

“I appreciate he’s emotional, and he desperately wants wickets, but you’re the one who has to send the message of calm and support. No one means to drop a catch.

“He’s gonna feel bad enough as it is for putting a catch down, especially someone like Marnus Labuschagne, it happens quickly, it’s in, it’s out. You don’t need to see that as a young player.”

Jaiswal had a day to forget in the field. Picture: Michael Klein

India added 11 to its overnight total before Nitish Kumar Reddy finally fell for 114, holing out to Mitchell Starc at long-off to hand Lyon his third wicket.

There would be no repeat fireworks for debutant Sam Konstas, who was bowled through the gate by a Bumrah delivery that cannoned into the top of middle stump, prompting scenes of jubilation from the Indian spearhead who had copped it from Australia’s teen opener in the first innings.

Though Khawaja was bowled by Siraj before lunch, the Aussies led by 185 runs with eight wickets in hand before Smith flashed loosely at a widish ball from Siraj to nick off for 13.

That was the opening India needed, as Bumrah stole the show once more. In quick succession he removed birthday boy Travis Head (one), Mitch Marsh (0) and Alex Carey (two), as Australia lost 4-11 to move India into outright favouritism.

But as he has done so often over the past 19 months, Cummins stood up with the bat, proving to be an outstanding foil for Labuschagne who while not at his best grafted critical runs.

Labuschagne fell to Ravindra Jadeja before Mitchell Starc was run out for five in a mix-up with Cummins, who himself departed after edging Jadeja with Australia’s lead still on 278.

But Boland and Lyon batted splendidly for well over an hour in what was the latest plot twist of an engrossing series. A boundary to the Victorian fan favourite pushed Australia’s lead beyond 300.