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MELBOURNE. – Batsman Shaun Marsh struck a fighting half-century at the Melbourne Cricket Ground yesterday to drive Australia to a commanding 326-run lead over India at the close of day four of their Test cricket match and all but seal the series for the hosts.

Leading 2-0, Australia need only draw the Melbourne match to wrap up the four-match series and India face a Herculean task to keep the contest alive for the final test in Sydney next week.

The highest successful fourth innings chase at the MCG was achieved by England in 1928-29, when they compiled 332 for victory.

Though India’s batsmen have proved the equal of Australia’s bowlers for much of the series, the flat MCG wicket began to show signs of uneven bounce late in the day and the hosts laboured to 261-7 at the close.

Perhaps mindful of India’s first innings 465 completed earlier in the morning, Australia opening batsman David Warner said his team would seek more runs on the final day’s play, which will have an extra six overs to compensate for a one-hour rain delay after lunch. – Reuters.