Australia boasted a 105-run lead at lunch on day four of the first Test against India, with David Warner taking a relatively measured approach at Adelaide Oval.
Warner was unbeaten on 13 during Friday’s meal break, having pushed his side’s second-innings total to 0-32 in 10 overs alongside Chris Rogers (19no).
The tourists exercised far greater control with the new ball than on day one, when Warner raced to 32 off 15 balls and lashed a century.
Australia face a difficult challenge as they ponder the best path to potential victory in the opening chapter of the four-Test series.
Rain ruined most of day two, meaning quick runs will be key.
The highest victorious fourth-innings Test total at the venue was Australia’s 6-315 in 1902.
However, India scored 445 in a loss almost 40 years ago in Adelaide and South Africa’s stonewall in the epic 2012 draw won’t be forgotten for some time.
India have given every indication they won’t crumble meekly with the bat.
The visitors amassed a first-innings total of 444, with Nathan Lyon running through their tail on Friday morning.
Lyon finished with figures of 5-134 from 36 overs, flighting the ball and attacking the rough created by Ishant Sharma’s footmarks.
The offspinner was introduced into the attack in the ninth over of the fourth day, instantly troubling Rohit Sharma and Wriddhiman Saha.
The next over Lyon dismissed Sharma, diving to his right and snaffling a catch when the right-hander was on 43.
Lyon’s turn removed Saha on 25, umpire Ian Gould judging the ball to have found a fine edge en route to Shane Watson at first slip.
It was Lyon’s bounce that troubled Ishant Sharma, the seamer lunging forward and popping up a simple catch to Steve Smith.
Lyon should have dismissed Mohammed Shami on nine, but Peter Siddle was seemingly worried about the rope and fumbled a catch in the deep.
Shami smashed an enterprising 34 off 24 balls before finally falling to Siddle, with Watson claiming a sharp catch at first slip to end India’s innings.
Michael Clarke ran and dived for a catch on Friday, suggesting he is on top of the chronic back injury that flared up on day one.
Lyon, fresh from an underwhelming series against Pakistan where he captured three Test wickets at an average of 140, looms as a key figure in Australia’s hopes of victory in Adelaide.
“We had big Ishant running down the middle of the wicket,” Lyon said on Thursday, when asked to analyse the difference between the UAE and Adelaide.
“Hopefully he does it the whole series.
“I expect there’s going to be a fair amount of deterioration in the pitch.”
