Wisden India editor, Anand Vasu thinks a war is looming between the Indian and Australian cricket sides after a heated Day three at the MCG.
Former Test quick, Trent Copeland believes the Australia-India sledging war is good for the game.
David Warner has an injured forearm and an injured thumb. Source: News Corp Australia
FOLLOW the live coverage of day four of the third Test at the MCG.
Showers are expected in Melbourne, with a top temperature of 26C.
Play starts at 10.30am AEDT. Continue the conversation on Twitter @jaibednall
Scroll to the bottom of the page for blow-by-blow coverage.
LIVE SCOREBOARD: AUSTRALIA vs INDIA THIRD TEST
7pm — SLEDGING 'OUT OF CONTROL'
Mitchell Johnson angrily reacts to being given a send-off by the Indian team late on day four. Source: Getty Images
AUSSIE Test great Ian Healy believes the bad blood between the two teams in this series has gone too far.
Tensions threatened to explode yesterday when Mitchell Johnson hit Virat Kohli while trying to run him out and continued on day four.
David Warner engaged with several of the Indians in the field during his quickfire 40 and Ishant Sharma gave Shane Watson a send-off when he was out for 17.
Mitchell Johnson also turned back and gestured angrily at the visitors after he was dismissed late in the day.
Healy says it's time for it to stop.
"I reckon it's out of control," Healy said on Channel 9.
Wisden India editor Anand Vasu agreed, describing the situation as a "time bomb ticking away".
"It's a matter of time before someones crosses the line and gets either really personal about someone's family or even worse — you have something racist," Vasu said.
"And then you're going to have a real problem on your hands."
But former Aussie Test quick Trent Copeland believes sledging is good for the game.
He said it was good to see professional athletes showing emotion and has enjoyed the way Kohli has stood his ground — on and off the field.
"I think it's very good for the game and I think Virat Kohli, since he's come to Australia, has been great the way he's held himself in the media and particularly on the field," Copeland said.
You can hear more from Vasu and Copeland in the video player above.
Australia lost steady wickets on day four to finish 7/261 at stumps.
The home side's lead is 326, setting up a tantalising final day tomorrow.
Shaun Marsh (62 not out) is playing a key role in the Australian innings, bringing up his half century with a six down the ground off Ravi Ashwin.
But how long Steve Smith decides to bat on tomorrow remains to be seen.
Continue reading for all the highlights from today's play and rejoin us for live coverage tomorrow.
6.25pm — JOHNSON'S HITTING DOESN'T LAST
Mitchell Johnson clubbed two boundaries but was out for 15. Source: Getty Images
INDIA is three wickets away from having a very gettable target to chase after dismissing Mitchell Johnson for 15.
The Aussie tailender attempted to hook a short delivery from Mohammed Shami but didn't connect well and lobbed up a catch to Ajinkya Rahane at midwicket.
Australia is 7/234 with a lead of 299 runs.
Ryan Harris has joined Shaun Marsh (44 not out) at the crease and survived a big shout at the beginning of his innings.
6.10pm — MARSH RIDING HIS LUCK
Shaun Marsh is playing a key innings for Australia. Source: Getty Images
SHAUN Marsh is enjoying the type of innings a batsman needs to escape a form slump.
The Aussie No. 5 has been slightly lucky to make it to 42 not out in the second innings — sending one shot in the air just wide of gully, narrowly missing his stumps with a french cut and then dodging an LBW decision when he failed to play a shot.
But he's adding key runs to Australia's lead, which now stands at 286 runs.
Mitchell Johnson is four not out. The score is 6/221.
5.35pm — HADDIN GOES, PRESSURE ON TAIL
Brad Haddin became the latest Aussie batsmen to be caught down the leg side. Source: Getty Images
AUSTRALIA will once again rely on its tail to dig the side out of trouble after Brad Haddin's wicket left the score 6/202.
Haddin (13 from 27 balls) was involved in an extremely slow partnership with Shaun Marsh (28 from 67 balls) which stole the momentum from Australia's innings.
The lead is currently 267 runs — still well short of a target the home side would feel comfortable defending.
Mitchell Johnson has joined Marsh at the crease.
4.55pm — BURNS FAILS AGAIN
It hasn't been much of a debut test for Joe Burns. Source: Getty Images
JOE Burns has completed a forgettable debut Test by falling to Ishant Sharma for nine.
The 25-year-old, who made 13 in the first innings, poked at a ball that bounced a bit more than expected and sent an edge through to MS Dhoni.
The Indians built pressure with some tight bowling following the tea break and earnt their reward.
Shaun Marsh (15 from 35 balls) has become bogged down and Australia's plans to start attacking the Indian bowlers must remain on hold until the total (5/176) is a little higher.
Australia's middle order frailties have been exposed as India mounted a stirring fightback with the ball at the MCG.
4.20pm — ASHWIN BOWLS ROGERS
Chris Rogers has failed to convert another half century into a big score. Source: Getty Images
RAVI Ashwin is continuing his strong match for India, picking up Chris Rogers's wicket for 69.
The Indian offspinner (2/17) had Rogers play the ball onto his own wicket to leave Australia 4/173 at tea.
The home side still has some work to do with the lead at 238 runs but Shaun Marsh has looked good so far and is 14 not out.
Joe Burns is eight not out in his second Test innings.
Rogers has bounced back to form after a slow start to the series.
It's typical of the Aussie opener, who averages under 25 in the first two Tests of series but 56 in tests three and onwards.
You can look at it two ways. Rogers does just enough to save his place in the side each series — or once he's figured out an opposition he takes advantage.
India claimed the wickets of Shane Watson and Steve Smith in quick succession to give themselves some hope before tea at the MCG.
3.40pm — SMITH'S WICKET A GAME CHANGER
Steve Smith fell cheaply on day four. Source: News Corp Australia
AUSTRALIA'S attention has turned from worrying about when to declare to posting a defendable score after the fall of Steve Smith.
Smith fell to a well-planned Indian trap on 14, glancing a Umesh Yadav ball to Ajinkya Rahane at leg slip.
It leaves Australia 3/131 and in need of at least 150 more runs to start feeling safe.
With out of form Shaun Marsh and debutant Joe Burns the last of the recognised batsmen, there's still work to do.
3.30pm — ROGERS NEGOTIATING THE NERVOUS FIFTIES
The runs have dried up for Chris Rogers since he posted his half century. Source: Getty Images
CHRIS Rogers has posted his fourth consecutive 50 in the series to all but book his place for next year's Ashes.
The opener's last four scores are 55, 55, 57 and 53 not out — and he appears determined to go further today.
Since reaching 50 off 81 balls, Rogers has scored just three runs from 16 deliveries.
Steve Smith is 12 not out. Australia is 2/127 with a lead of 192 runs.
2.50pm — WATSON FALLS FOR 17
Shane Watson will face renewed calls for his head after failing today. Source: News Corp Australia
SHANE Watson has departed early in the second session to leave Australia 2/98.
The No. 3 was drawn forward by Ishant Sharma and sent a thick edge through to MS Dhoni, who caught a low ball cleanly.
Steve Smith has joined Chris Rogers at the crease.
2.05pm — DOES SMITH TRY TO WIN OR DRAW?
Steve Smith has hardly put a foot wrong as Australian skipper. Source: Getty Images
PLAY looks set to resume soon at the MCG, creating a testing situation for Steve Smith in his second match as Australian captain.
Already up 2-0, Australia can win the series by drawing this game — a result they're in a great position to achieve given they have nine wickets in hand and a lead of 155 runs with just five sessions to play.
But no one really wants a draw do they?
Like Michael Clarke did in the first Test in Adelaide, Smith is probably going to have to make a sporting declaration if he wants to win this game.
Deciding when to pull the pin won't be an easy call, but if Chris Rogers (33 not out) and Shane Watson (15 not out) can score quickly when play resumes it will make Smith's job slightly easier.
1.15pm — COVERS ON IN MELBOURNE
Virat Kohli blows a kiss to the crowd during the first session. Source: News Corp Australia
THERE'S been a delay to the start of the second session because of rain in Melbourne.
The covers are on at the MCG with Australia 1/90 in the second innings.
There was some good news in the break, when Michael Clarke revealed he's one week ahead of schedule in his recovery from hamstring surgery.
While you wait, it's 20 years to the day since Shane Warne's hat-trick at this ground in the 1994 Ashes. You can relive it in the video below.
Fox Sports looks back at Shane Warne's famous Ashes hat-trick.
12.30pm — ROGERS PICKING UP THE SLACK
Chris Rogers has played a leading role since David Warner's departure. Source: Getty Images
CHRIS Rogers looks headed for his fourth 50 in as many innings as Australia continues to build its lead at the MCG.
Rogers is 33 not out and with the help of Shane Watson (15 not out) has Australia 1/90 at lunch with a lead of 155 runs.
Rain is expected this afternoon so Australia needs to maintain a quick tempo when play resumes.
12.05pm — WARNER FALLS FOR 40
David Warner was there for a good time, not a long time. Source: AFP
DAVID Warner's quickfire start to the second innings is over after he was trapped LBW by Ravi Ashwin for 40.
Warner played all around a straightening delivery that hit his back leg to leave the score at 1/57.
The Australian lead is 122 runs.
11.15am — WARNER RACES OUT OF THE BLOCKS
David Warner is giving it to India. Source: Getty Images
DAVID Warner has quickly pushed Australia's lead past 100 with a sparkling start to the second innings.
The fiery opener has smashed 31 from 17 balls, including five boundaries, to move the home side to 0/34 from five overs.
He's verbally engaging with the Indians in the field also as the tensions between the two sides continue to bubble along.
By the looks of the following tweet, Warner just couldn't wait to get at the Indians today.
10.40am — INDIA ALL OUT FOR 465
Mitchell Johnson's figures went from 0/133 to 3/135. Source: News Corp Australia
AUSTRALIA has a 65 run first innings lead after Mitchell Johnson quickly killed off the Indian tail this morning.
After removing Umesh Yadav for a duck, Johnson had Mohammed Shami caught at second slip for 12.
It was a wasteful finish for the visitors, given they were 3/409 yesterday. After the end of a 262 run partnership between Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane the last seven wickets fell for just 56 runs.
With showers expected this afternoon Australia will need to score quickly if they want to win this game.
David Warner has opened the batting and so far doesn't look hindered by nasty injuries to his forearm and thumb.
10.30am — JOHNSON STRIKES IN FIRST OVER
Mitchell Johnson and Brad Haddin combined for the second time this innings. Source: News Corp Australia
MITCHELL Johnson has removed Umesh Yadav with the third delivery of day four to leave Australia one wicket away from wrapping up the Indian innings.
Yadav edged a rising delivery through to Haddin to fall for a second ball duck. India is 9/462.
10.15pm — WARNER 'HOPEFUL' OF BEING ABLE TO BAT
David Warner has been in the wars of late. Source: News Corp Australia
DAVID Warner is going to have to push through the pain barrier if he's going to drive the Australian second innings on day four.
The left-handed opener is nursing a badly damaged thumb and an injured forearm after being struck twice in the past few days.
Warner just spoke on Channel 9 and said he was "hopeful" of being able to open the batting after Australia takes the last two Indian wickets.
Warner was hit on the forearm in the nets by Peter Siddle during this Test and said his thumb — which was struck in the Brisbane Test — was still very sore.
But Warner said he was in no doubt for the fourth Test in Sydney, citing his determination to honour fallen teammate Phillip Hughes in his first game back at the SCG.
India resumes today at 8/462, with tailenders Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav at the crease. The visitors trail by 68 runs.
"It was a good fightback from India yesterday, if we took our chances it might be a different story, but that's cricket," Warner said.
India superstar Virat Kohli has blasted Australia and Mitchell Johnson in a scathing attack.
The main talking point overnight continued to be the renewed rivalry between Mitchell Johnson and Virat Kohli.
Kohli was annoyed with being struck by an errant Johnson throw on day three and went on to say he only respected some members of the Australian team.
"It was quite funny listening to his press conference," Warner said.
"When you're out there and give it you've also got to take it. He played well yesterday and deserved to say whatever he wanted to."
