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Follow live: Australia look to get better of India and overcome rain on day four of Third Test in Brisbane

Chris Robinson
The Nightly
India have avoided the follow on in the third Test.
India have avoided the follow on in the third Test. Credit: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Will the weather hold out long enough to give Australia the chance to tear through India in Brisbane?

Stay across the latest from the Gabba here!

Chris Robinson

Rahul keeping his cool

KL Rahul now has his sights set on a century as he climbs to 82. But he’s a little fortunate to not have one dribble onto his stumps while defending against Starc.

Rahul boasts a Test century against the Aussies, which came in just the third innings of his career in Sydney all the way back in the first week of 2015. But he’s failed to reach three figures against them in 20 innings since.

It’s 5-139, with Jadeja easing into his work at the other end with 26.

KL Rahul sweeps against Nathan Lyon.
KL Rahul sweeps against Nathan Lyon. Credit: Getty Images
Chris Robinson

India 5-130

Nathan Lyon is operating in a typically stingy manner - until Jadeja feasts on one that’s a little shorter and rocks back to cut for four.

Jadeja at No.7 - playing for the first time this series - bolsters India’s lower order significantly, bumping down Nitish Kumar Reddy to No.8. Reddy has the fourth-most runs of anyone in the series.

Chris Robinson

India halfway to follow-on score

KL Rahul continues to frustrate the Aussies.

He’s moved to 77 and is now the second-highest runscorer across the series, with his 223 trailing only Travis Head (392).

It’s 5-123, with India now precisely halfway to the score of 246 they need to avoid the follow-on.

Chris Robinson

We’re back!

Play is right to resume at the Gabba.

There’s been a significant update on the Hazlewood niggle during the break: It’s a calf issue.

More details on the fresh concern here!

Chris Robinson

RAIN DELAY

We’ll pause with India at 5-105 for the day’s first rain delay, around 70 minutes after the start of play.

The tourists will be pleased to have lost just the one wicket, which could so easily have been two had Steve Smith held his regulation chance.

Rahul is a thorn in Australia’s side on 68, while Jadeja (6) is showing his experience and class at the other end to help provide resistance.

We’ll hopefully be back in action before too long!

Chris Robinson

Sharma’s struggles

As India progress to 5-105, there’s some serious questions looming around Rohit Sharma’s place in the side.

The skipper is averaging just 11.7 from his past 13 hits at Test level, with just one score above 23 in that time.

Is the 37-year-old reaching the end?

Chris Robinson

Hazlewood latest

Hazlewood spoke with team physio Nick Jones during the drinks break and then came from the field.

Seven’s Greg Blewett ponders whether illness might be a factor for the big quick.

Mitch Marsh is into the attack for the first time to help shoulder some of the bowling load. How much of a blow is that going to be for Australia’s pursuit of these remaining 15 wickets if Hazlewood can’t return?

Chris Robinson

DRINKS: INDIA 5-94

The tourists lose one wicket in the opening 50 minutes of the day - a better clip than they were going at yesterday.

Sharma has been the shining light, climbing to 61, while Jadeja is with him on 3.

Hazlewood returned to the attack for that final over before the break.

This will be one of two drinks breaks for the session - weather permitting, of course!

Chris Robinson

Cool Rahul

KL Rahul is shouldering the load of this innings - despite the fact he should have been out first ball of the day with the regulation Smith drop.

He’s reached his half-century and has accounted for 53 of India’s 85 runs at present - essentially two-thirds of their total.

Cricket Australia say there’s no fresh concern on Josh Hazlewood’s side strain, and it appears he’s just about ready to return to the attack here as he warms up in the field.

KL Rahul acknowledges his half-century.
KL Rahul acknowledges his half-century. Credit: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
Chris Robinson

SHARMA GOES!

Pat Cummins has struck!

India last half an hour before succumbing, with the skipper dismissed by his opposite number.

Cummins produces a leg cutter that has Rohit prodding forward and feathering a nick through to Alex Carey. It’s a big strike to ram home the Aussies’ significant advantage!

Ravi Jadeja is at the crease for his first hit of the series, with the score 5-74.

Extra points to Cummins for his celebration, too!

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