Australia lead India by 155 runs at lunch

MELBOURNE: Australia lost explosive opener David Warner as they built a lead of 155 runs over India by lunch on the fourth day of the third Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Monday.

Warner hit a boundary and an all-run four off his opening two balls and was driving Australia´s total before he fell in Ravi Ashwin´s fourth over.

He played forward but was struck on the back pad and was given out leg before wicket for 40 off 42 balls with six fours.

The home side were 90 for one with Chris Rogers unbeaten on 33 and Shane Watson not out 15 when lunch was taken.

Australia quickly mopped up India´s first innings for 465 to lead by 65 with Mitchell Johnson snaring both wickets of Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Shami for the addition of just three runs to the overnight score.

Johnson had Yadav caught behind off the second ball of the day and in his next over had Shami caught by Steve Smith at second slip for 12. Johnson finished with three for 135.

India lost their last seven wickets for 56 after Virat Kohli (169) and Ajinkya Rahane´s (147) ground record 262-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

It was yet again another lower order collapse to highlight one of the main differences between the two sides.

The tourists lost six for 77 and eight for 73 in Adelaide and six for 87 and nine for 148 in Brisbane.

Australia´s lower order from the sixth wicket on have put on 784 runs in the series compared to India´s 389.

Australia only need a draw to lift the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after winning the opening two Tests of the four-match series in Adelaide and Brisbane. (AFP)