Brilliant Warner puts hosts on top

For the second time in what is quite quickly becoming a storied Test career, David Warner scored a century in both innings and ensured India’s fate in this match now rests with the generosity of their hosts.

And for the umpteenth time as an international player, Warner raised the ire of his opponents which led to a couple of unedifying flashpoints on day four of the first Commonwealth Bank Test in Adelaide.

Which, in turn, would suggest the chance of any gifts being dispensed from the Australian dressing room is about as likely as Warner playing out the remainder of what looms as a lengthy and prosperous stint in Australian colours under a vow of silence.

Quick Single: Warner, India call time on détente 

With a day to play in the four-match-series opener, Australia holds a a lead of 363 and the knowledge that only one team has successfully chased more than 300 in the fourth innings to win a Test in Adelaide – and that was Joe Darling’s mob who managed 6-315 against England in January, 1902.

A declaration before the final day’s 100 overs begin tomorrow is expected, although Australia captain Michael Clarke has rarely been known to telegraph such intentions.

Figuring in those thoughts will be an awareness that India’s XI contains a batsman (Rohit Sharma, whose blood was also left bubbling today) who recently scored 264 in a 50-over international.

Any suggestion that Australia might squander the advantage it has held for pretty much the entire match was scotched when Warner seemingly threw away his wicket when he missed a slog and was bowled, only to be recalled as he left the arena because Varun Aaron had delivered a sizeable no-ball.

The spirit this setback roused in the Indian players as they exchanged angry words with Warner and his batting partner Shane Watson, and later in the day Warner and Steve Smith, was then all but snuffed out in 20 minutes of brutality from Mitchell Marsh.

The imposing allrounder took to spinner Karn Sharma with an intent that bordered on criminal, smashing him for three sixes and a boundary in a single over as he pushed the game further from the tourists’ weakening grasp with a muscular 40 from 26 balls.

While Indian captain Virat Kohli battled to keep a lid on the simmering resentment of his players – who were the only ones among the crowd of 27,639 not to stand and applaud when Warner eventually fell to one too many reverse sweeps – much of their frustration was self-inflicted.

In addition to Aaron’s careless overstep, at a time when Australia’s lead was less than 200 and the contest still alive on a pitch offering pronounced turn and some variable bounce, Murali Vijay reacted slowly to a chance at gully and spilled the one-hander when Warner was 89.

That was the final indignity after the Australian opener, who passed 1,000 runs for the calendar year on the way to securing his newest milestones of a remarkable run of form, withstood a prolonged and desperate appeal from seamer Mohammed Shami and his teammates when on 70.

Television replays appeared to vindicate their conviction, as they showed the ball seemingly brushing Warner’s glove on the way through to the ‘keeper, a verdict that the Decision Review System would likely have confirmed if it was in operation.

The sense of symmetry with Australia’s first innings – in which Warner starred and Steve Smith remained unconquered, as he was at stumps today on 52 - was only broken by the failure of Clarke who was dismissed for seven after his first innings heroics.

Having carried his team and much of the nation on his shoulders over the past fortnight and a crippled back at the crease and in the field since Tuesday, Clarke gave the distinct impression he had not much more to give in his 34-minute innings.

Which is scarcely a revelation.

However, when he does pull the plug on Australia’s second innings the focus will shift squarely to how well the tourists are able to put aside the frustrations of today and find the fight to save – perhaps miraculously win – the Test.

The haste with which India’s innings folded this morning might have seemed a little insipid in other circumstances.

But given the pace at which the game had reached the fourth morning, due to the four hours lost to rain and reduced light on Wednesday, it was precisely what the Test needed to progress to its decisive phase.

Had the Indian innings lingered beyond lunch as they drew ever closer to Australia’s target, a stalemate would have loomed as the only realistic result.

It still remains a strong chance, but with the clatter of five Indian wickets to Lyon’s spin and Peter Siddle’s seam in around 90 minutes this morning meant that Australia’s 73-run lead provided impetus as they looked to set a last-day target.

Lyon’s initial breakthrough of the day was the most important, given that his victim Rohit Sharma had not so long ago clubbed an ODI world record score of 264 to become the first player to post two double centuries in that format.

The threat Sharma posed if allowed to break tether was underscored when he lifted Lyon beyond the long-on rope, but it was excised a ball later when the spinner beat him in flight and clung to the scooped return chance between his wrists.

Karn Sharma then played as inauspicious a maiden Test innings as the game has seen, which lasted eight deliveries three at which he consecutively played and missed, one that he puzzlingly misjudged and was lucky to last and the next that mercifully slammed into his stumps.

Lyon then picked up two more in the space of an over to complete the sixth five-wicket return of his Test career – and his second in Australia – which he demonstrably dedicated to the symbolic 408 he wore sombrely on his playing shirt.

Mohammed Shami then batted like a fast-bowling tailender from the days of yore in slogging 34 from 24 balls, prompting speculation the Australian openers might play follow with similar intent given the way they started on the Test’s first morning.

But David Warner and Chris Rogers made a conservative start to that undertaking, easing their way to 32 – for an overall lead of 105 - in the 45 minutes that took them to lunch.

After the break, the attack plan was unveiled although the first casualty was 37-year-old Rogers.

With age a constant talking point as the selectors ponder Warner’s prospective opening partner for the Test team’s next meaningful challenge – to defend the Ashes in the UK next year – any prolonged blip in Rogers’ previously consistent form line will provoke calls for change.

The left-hander’s results and experience as a prolific performer in England’s county competition means he has been viewed as an integral element of that campaign that begins in June next year.

But since his combative century as Australia fought fruitlessly against a potent South African attack at Port Elizabeth last February, he has not made it to 50 in eight subsequent starts.

His innings today became a talking point as much for the manner in which it ended – an out-of-character slog sweep that landed limply in the hands of midwicket as the Australians looked to up the pace.

And the fact that, in the final round of Bupa Sheffield Shield matches in which players can further their Baggy Green claims for this Test summer, former Test opener Ed Cowan has done precisely that will help to lessen the insensitivity that will long linger around any selection discussions on a possible replacement.

Day five tickets go on sale

Tickets to day five of the first Commonwealth Bank Test match at Adelaide Oval went on sale from the end of play today.

Patrons can purchase tickets through Ticketek via the internet (venue collect or electronic Ticket), the Ticketek Mobile Phone App or over the phone (venue collect only).

Tickets will also be available for purchase tomorrow at Adelaide Oval.

Tickets to day five are $20 for adults, $15 for concession, $10 for children and $45 for a family.

For further information please contact Ticketek on 13 28 49 or visit www.ticketek.com.au.

Detailed ticketing and pricing information can be found at cricket.com.au