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Jasprit Bumrah stars with 4 wickets but Australia’s tail pushes lead past 300 in fourth Test

India’s paceman threatens to turn the match on its head with 3-wicket burst before Marnus Labuschagne and Pat Cummins steady the hosts

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India’s Jasprit Bumrah (second from right) celebrates with teammates the wicket of Australia’s Mitchell Marsh (centre) on day four of the fourth Test at the MCG on Sunday. Photo: AFP

A Marnus Labuschagne half-century and stubborn tail-end batting drove Australia to a 333-run lead at the end of day four in the fourth test in Melbourne on Sunday, leaving India facing a record chase to steal an unlikely victory.

Nathan Lyon and Scott Boland marched off to a huge ovation from home fans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, having combined for an unbeaten 55-run partnership for the final wicket as Australia went to stumps at 228 for nine.

Lyon was 41 not out, with number 11 Boland on 10.

With the five-Test series level at 1-1, India’s pace dynamo Jasprit Bumrah had threatened to turn the match on its head with a three-wicket burst before tea in front of 43,867 fans.

But Labuschagne (70) and Australia captain Pat Cummins (41) steadied the hosts with a 57-run partnership before Boland and Lyon frustrated India further.

Australia’s Nathan Lyon (left) and Scott Boland walk off the field on the end of day four. Photo: AP
Australia’s Nathan Lyon (left) and Scott Boland walk off the field on the end of day four. Photo: AP

The day ended sourly for the tourists when Bumrah had Lyon caught in the slips with a no-ball in the final over.

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