Australia dominated day three of the second Test at the Gabba, but Steve Smith knows his bowlers still have their work cut out for them on Saturday.

Australia amassed a total of 505 on Friday, with India trailing by 26 runs when they reached stumps at 1-71 in response.

Shikhar Dhawan (26no) and Cheteshwar Pujara (15no) both saw off a spirited late spell from Mitchell Johnson, who hammered 88 off 93 balls.

Smith, having scored 133 in his first innings as captain of Australia, knows his side must strike early on day four.

“If you get yourself in, it’s one of the best places to bat in the world,” Smith said of the Gabba.

“We wanted a few big partnerships and we managed to do that.

“The wicket’s still playing good. There hasn’t been many tricks or anything yet.

“The boys will have to come out early in the morning and do what we did the other morning – when we took all those wickets.”

Umesh Yadav, the pick of India’s bowlers with figures of 3-101 from 25 overs, agreed the Gabba track was “good for batting”.

“We will take a good lead and let’s see,” Yadav said.

Yadav lamented the way his side let Johnson, Smith and Mitchell Starc (52) build a first-innings lead of 97 runs.

“We were in a good position in the morning then we leaked runs … we gave them too many runs,” he said.

Meanwhile, Smith suggested the heat and humidity have played a big part in both sides struggling with their over rates.

“Hopefully we can get our over rate back a bit. There have been a few distractions with people walking behind the sight screens and drinks and the weather,” he said.

“Hopefully they find a way to give me a few minutes back there.”