An Over on Day Three, Aus v Ind

A fiery spell of fast bowling from Pat Cummins has kept the chances of all three results alive after a day where ball dominated bat for the first time this test. Despite their lead of 346, momentum swung late in the day back in favour of Australia who will hope to capitalise early on Day Four to set up an unlikely run chase. 26.03 - THE WORST IN 40 YEARS

With only one innings remaining in 2018, it leaves little room for improvement on what is currently the worst year for Australian batsmen since 1978/79. In that year, Kerry Packer's World Series Cricket was in full swing, with Australia's best players playing rebel one day cricket in what would be seen to change the way cricket was played. In 2018/19, the Australian batsman have been rocked by the scandal of losing Steve Smith, arguably the best Test batsman in the world, David Warner, the sides next best batsman and up and coming opener Cameron Bancroft due to 'sandpaper gate'. Scandals aside, Australia have averaged just 26.03 runs per wicket this calendar year, with their 151 on Day Three the the 10th lowest first innings score at in the first dig at the MCG. Credit where credit is due, India's bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah, were world class, aided by safe hands in the field, but with a large 4th innings run chase ahead, it's a worrying sign for the home side.

Virat Kohli celebrates the wicket of Shaun Marsh.

KOHLI DECLARES TO GRIND THE AUSTRALIAN BOWLERS

There are many theories as to why Kohli did not enforce the follow on on Day Three; wishing to rest his bowlers, to ensure an unloseable lead, or perhaps the fear of batting last, but the common feeling was to ensure Australia's bowlers had to toil after only 67 overs of rest. The prospect of rain on Day Five wasn't enough to persuade Kohli, however with Cummins spell of 4-2 ripping apart the Indian top order, there is no doubt that Australia gained more from Kohli's non-declaration than India.

SKIPPERS GUTSY DIG

Australia's number 7 Tim Paine's attitude with the bat can not be question after the captain once again found himself attempting to resurrect the home sides innings alongside Pat Cummins. Although Paine is yet to score a Test match century from his 31 innings, his solid and gritty approach has him in rare company with one innings left in 2018. In Tests this year, Paine has faced 91.5 balls per dismissal, with only Kumar Sangakarra in 2001 and Johnny Bairstow in 2016 finishing a calendar year as better dismissal rate as a wicket-keeper batsman.

Australian Wicket-Keeper Tim Paine has silenced his critics with a strong 2018.

CUMMINS AUSTRALIA'S BEST

Undoubtedly, Pat Cummins has emerged not only as Australia's best fast bowler this match and series, but is laying serious threat to the mantle previously held by Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc. But while Cummins may be Australia's best, he is not the best quick in Australia right now. That titled belongs firmly to Jasprit Bumrah. Not only does he lead the series for wickets taken (17), but he now has the third best bowling figures by an Asian quick in Australia, behind only Sarfraz Nawaz's 9/86 in 1979 and Kapil Dev's 8/106 in 1985. At only 25 years old, the future is bright for Jasprit. FOXSPORTS CATCHING QUALITY CHAT

FoxSports' coverage of this seasons Test series has allowed viewers a different experience than that which we were graced with by Channel 9 for so many years. The FlyingFox, mid match interviews with players and a refreshed commentary team have all had positive reviews, but the Stump Mic getting more air time has certainly been a favourite with fans. The two wicket-keepers have kept cricket fans entertained this summer, with Paine having a cheeky dig at his direct competition Rishabh Pant for being left out of the ODI squad for MS Dhoni, suggesting he should come to Hobart and either play BBL with the Hurricanes, or at least babysit while Tim Paine takes the wife out for a romantic dinner. It got a laugh out of Aaron Finch, and certainly a few punters at home. MITCH MARSH FAILS AGAIN

After failing to take a wicket in the first innings, Mitch Marsh had a golden opportunity to silence his critics, coming to the crease at 4-89 after brother Shaun was dismissed on the stroke of lunch. However, his 36 ball 9 left more question marks surrounding the all-rounder who now will have his credentials marked heading to Sydney for the final test which will certainly not be a dead rubber. Moving ahead to the Sri Lanka series with Tests at Brisbane and Canberra where the selectors will likely pick a squad for both test matches upfront, Marsh desperately needs to make an impact in one of these second innings to keep his Test summer alive.