FOLLOW the live coverage of day four of the fourth Test at the SCG.

High temperatures and showers are expected in Sydney today, with a top temperature of 33C before rain and possible thunderstorms this evening.

Scroll to the bottom of the page for blow-by-blow coverage.

LIVE SCOREBOARD: AUSTRALIA vs INDIA FOURTH TEST

5.50pm — SMITH, BURNS SET UP AUSSIES

AUSTRALIA is in full control of the fourth Test after a rollicking finish to day four saw them lead by 348 runs at stumps.

Steve Smith (71 from 70 balls) and Joe Burns (66 from 39 balls) played exactly how the situation required to help set up an expected declaration before play tomorrow.

“It was good fun,” Burns said.

“It was nice to get a few away and get the team into a good position.”

Australia added 6/251 from just 40 overs after bowling India out for 475 earlier in the day.

The home side’s innings included 28 fours and six sixes — entertaining a crowd that has suffered through some extremely slow cricket in the past couple of days.

Umesh Yadav copped the worst of it, seeing six of his first eight deliveries hit for four and 45 runs taken from his three overs.

It sets up a thrilling day five where Virat Kohli and the Indian side will attempt to deny the Aussies victory.

Smith, who passed Don Bradman’s record for most runs by an Australian in a series against India, believes his side has enough runs.

“We were hoping for just above 300,” he said.

“Hopefully (the pitch) will start to go up and down a bit ... and hopefully we’ll be able to take 10 wickets.”

Smith’s innings included one boundary that Kohli would rather forget. You can see it in the video player above.

Continue reading for more information about Smith’s record-setting summer and rejoin us when play starts at 10.30am tomorrow.

5.10pm — SMITH NIGHTMARE FINALLY OVER FOR INDIA

STEVE Smith’s record-setting series with the bat is finally over.

Mohammed Shami removed the Aussie captain with a ripping inswinger for 71 to reduce Australia to 5/165.

Smith’s knock came from just 70 deliveries and was perhaps his most entertaining of the summer.

It left his final series total at 769 runs — the most ever for an Australian against India and the 13th highest tally in Test history.

974 — Don Bradman (Australia) v England, 1930

905 — Wally Hammond (England) v Australia, 1928-29

839 — Mark Taylor (Australia) v England, 1989

834 — Neil Harvey (Australia) v South Africa, 1952-53

829 — Viv Richards (West Indies) v England, 1976

827 — Clyde Walcott (West Indies) v Australia, 1955

824 — Garfield Sobers (West Indies) v Pakistan, 1957-58

810 — Don Bradman (Australia) v England, 1936-37

806 — Don Bradman (Australia) v South Africa, 1931-32

798 — Brian Lara (West Indies) v England, 1993-94

779 — Everton Weekes (West Indies) v India, 1948-49

774 — Sunil Gavaskar (India) v West Indies, 1970-71

769 — Steve Smith (Australia) v India, 2014-15

Most runs in a series (while playing only 4 Tests) 829 V Richards in Eng 1976 774 S Gavaskar in WI 1971 770 Steven Smith 2014/15 #AusvInd — Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) January 9, 2015

4.45pm — ROGERS NOTCHES HALF CENTURY

CHRIS Rogers has scored his sixth consecutive Test fifty — but once again failed to turn it into a century.

The Aussie opener hit a crisp 56 before holeing out to Suresh Raina at midwicket off the bowling of Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

He’s made scores of 55, 55, 57, 69, 95 and 56 in his last six digs.

The 37-year-old is now within reach of the all-time Test record of seven consecutive half centuries shared by Sir Everton Weekes, Andy Flower, Shivnarin Chanderpaul and Kumar Sangakarra.

Steve Smith reached 50 just after Rogers fell.

He’s helped Australia quickly reach 3/132, pushing their lead to 229 runs.

Smith’s series total is now 746 runs — pushing him past greats like Sir Garfield Sobers (722 v England, 1966), Sunil Gavaskar (732 v West Indies, 1978-79) and Herbert Sutcliffe (734 v Australia, 1924-25) in the past half hour.

Shaun Marsh came and went quickly after replacing Rogers at the crease.

He edged Ravi Ashwin to slip on one to become the spinner’s third victim of the innings.

4pm — SMITH ENTERS HISTORY BOOKS

STEVE Smith now holds the record for most runs in a four Test series by an Australian.

The Aussie skipper is 29 not out at the SCG and has taken his series total to 727 runs.

It betters Ricky Ponting’s mark of 706 runs in a four Test series and Don Bradman’s record of 715 for most runs in a series against India.

Most runs in a Test series for Australia

974 — Don Bradman v England, 1930

839 — Mark Taylor v England, 1989

834 — Neil Harvey v South Africa, 1952-53

810 — Don Bradman v England, 1936-37

758 — Don Bradman v England, 1934

727* — Steve Smith v India, 2014-15

715 — Don Bradman v India, 1947-48

706 — Ricky Ponting v India, 2003-04

3.40pm — WATSON FALLS AFTER TEA

AUSTRALIA finds itself in the awkward position of wanting to score quickly without throwing the game after Shane Watson joined David Warner in the changerooms.

Watson attempted to cut a low bouncing Ravi Ashwin delivery but chopped it onto his stumps.

The Aussies are 2/46 in their second innings with a lead of 143 runs.

3.30pm — THIS IS HOW YOU CELEBRATE A BOUNDARY

This kid probably needs a little more water in his cordial.

3.10pm — AUSSIES GO ALL OUT ATTACK

AUSTRALIA has shown its hand in a six over period before the tea break — it’s win at all costs for the home side.

Despite losing David Warner for four in the third over of the innings, Chris Rogers (21 not out from 17 balls) and Shane Watson (13 from 14) have continued to attack the Indian bowlers.

They’ve added 32 runs in 27 balls to leave the score 1/38 at the tea break. The lead is 135 runs.

Watson should have been run out for eight but was given a reprieve by Indian wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha, who mishandled the ball.

Oh Noooo!! Would have been out by a mile, but he dropped the ball! #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/nDPwXSk4QU — Indian Cricket News (@IndiaCricNews) January 9, 2015

2.50pm — SPINNING TO WIN

A BOLD decision to open the bowling with offspinner Ravi Ashwin has already paid dividends for India in the wicket of David Warner.

Ashwin bowled a delivery which bounced and turned and Warner sent an edge to Murali Vijay at slip.

It’s a big blow to the home side’s plans to chase quick runs and set up a declaration.

The score is 1/6. The lead is 103 runs.

Smart move by India to open with Ashwin. Best, and probably only, chance of rolling Aussies. #AUSvIND — Rhys O'Neill (@Rhys_ONeill_) January 9, 2015

2.40pm — NO FUN FOR BOWLERS

NOW India’s marathon 162 over innings has come to an end, there’s time to consider just how batsmen-friendly the pitches have been in the series.

Consider these numbers:

NO bowler has an average of less than 30 in the series. Ryan Harris is the lowest with an average bang on 30.

NATHAN Lyon (21 wickets at 32.9) is the only bowler to have taken more than 15 wickets in the series.

NINE batsmen are averaging more than 50 in the series, led by Steve Smith at 139.6.

EIGHT of the 14 innings so far have seen the batting side total more than 400 runs.

400s and 500s in every first innings of this series. And they were blaming sub-continent nations for laying out roads. #AUSvIND — Prasanna MRP (@Pras241) January 9, 2015

Obviously the pitches aren’t solely to blame — fine batting, poor bowling at times and ordinary fielding have all played a part.

But apart from a couple of sessions when Australia has run through the Indian tail there’s hardly been any periods of sustained dominance from the bowlers.

Having said that, if Australia can blast a quick innings of 250-odd we could be set up for an exciting finish tomorrow.

It’s just a shame it took so many slow days to get there.

2.35pm — STARC, HARRIS FINISH THE JOB

AN almost unplayable spell by Mitchell Starc allowed Australia to close the Indian innings at 475.

Starc got the old ball reversing and had Ravi Ashwin caught behind for 50.

The Aussies took the new ball soon after and Ryan Harris gave Brad Haddin another catch by forcing Umesh Yadav to sky an attempted pull shot.

It gives Australia a 97 run first innings lead.

R Ashwin completed double of 1000 runs & 100 wickets in 24 Tests. Only Ian Botham (21) & Vinoo Mankad (23) did so in fewer Tests. #AUSvIND — Cricket Record (@record_cricinfo) January 9, 2015

1.55pm — TWO MORE TO GO

NATHAN Lyon has ended a frustrating 65 run partnership between Ravi Ashwin and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

Lyon had Kumar caught at first slip by Shane Watson for 30 after the third umpire ruled the ball did not hit the ground after the Indian tailender hit it.

It gives Australia a chance of leading by 100+ runs on first innings. India is 8/448, 124 runs behind.

Third Umpire doing his best to try and make the game half interesting again. You can't give that out... #AUSvIND — Jake Bourke (@JakeBourke) January 9, 2015

#AUSvIND @bhogleharsha Bhuvi dismissal - a shocking decision! So much for benefit of doubt to the batter. So much for having a 3rd umpire — Kapsy (@kapsy_tweets) January 9, 2015

1pm — INDIAN SLAMS SCG PITCH

WE’RE just about to tick over the 1000 run mark in this Test match and one veteran Indian cricket writer believes the pitch is to blame.

Wisden India managing editor Anand Vasu is disappointed in how much conditions have favoured the batsmen.

“To come all the way out to Australia, 9000km, and play on this Indian pitch in this Indian weather and be served samosa every day in the press box — I should be asking for a refund of my flight ticket really,” Vasu said.

“There’s not enough in this pitch. It either should have broken up more or it should have had a bit of grass on it so the Australian bowlers could have got in the game.

“The great thing about playing cricket in Australia is the balance between bat and ball. You don’t see that so much in the subcontinent. So when you come out here you really want to see that — and to not see that is disappointing.”

Are pitches doctored these day to be roads say that five days are guaranteed for the TV companies? #AUSvIND #PoorBowlers — Daryl Matthews (@DMSportsTrader) January 9, 2015

12.30pm — THAT’S LUNCH

India is 7/407 at lunch on day 4 at the SCG. Australia took two wickets - those of Virat Kohli and Wriddhiman Saha - in the first session, but also missed opportunities to take more thanks to a few dropped catches.

Special mention to Indian batsman Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who, in what was already a slow session, managed to stand out as the slowest. He only managed to score three runs off 39 balls.

Expect more scintillating batting when he returns after the break.

12.20pm — CATCHES WIN MATCHES

They say catches win matches and Australia might rue their missed opportunities at the SCG.

More drops have marred a productive first session for the Aussies following a day of dropped catches yesterday.

This time it was Nathan Lyon who let a Ravi Ashwin screamer slip through his fingers.

Admittedly it would have been an amazing catch if it had have stuck, but it follows a day of fielding errors on day 3 in which centurions Virat Kohli and KL Rahul were both dropped by skipper Steve Smith, and substitute fielder Pat Cummins missed an easy run out opportunity.

Shortly after Lyon’s miss, Joe Burns also put down what should have been an easy catch when Kumar edged one to short-leg.

Burns appeared to panic as the ball popped up. All he needed to do was stay still and let the ball come to him. Instead, he moved in and dropped a sitter.

Joe Burns’ willingness to follow his captain’s lead is admirable. Outstanding foot soldier. #AUSvIND — Dan Liebke (@LiebCricket) January 9, 2015

DROPPED! Lyon finds the edge of Kumar, but Burns can't hold on to the chance in #AUSvIND #AUSvsIND pic.twitter.com/wTVqxtfkYi — Indian Cricket News (@IndiaCricNews) January 9, 2015

Aussie coach Darren Lehmann lamented the missed chances after stumps yesterday, describing his side’s efforts as ‘disappointing’.

“They were a couple of tough chances but you’ve still got to take those on wickets where it’s going to deteriorate day four, day five. We needed to speed up the game today,” Lehmann said. “So [it was] a little bit disappointing, we need to take those chances and that’s now two Test matches in a row, But there’s still a lot of time in this game.

India has just passed 400 and now trails by 170.

11.40am — GOT HIM!

Josh Hazlewood has taken the wicket of Wriddhiman Saha for 35.

Saha found himself in no man’s land thanks to a short-pitched delivery from the lanky fast bowler, and gloved it to Steve Smith for an easy catch.

India now trails by 189 with three wickets in hand. Australia will be hoping to clean up the tail by lunchtime.

10.50pm — RHINO GETS THE BREAKTHROUGH

JUST a few overs in to day 4 and Ryan Harris has scored the breakthrough, taking the wicket of Virat Kohli for 147.

Kohli was caught at mid-wicket by Chris Rogers after playing forward to Harris.

It’s been a superb innings for the Indian skipper, who scored his fourth century of the Summer, and equally superb bowling from Harris who executed his plan brilliantly.

Kohli’s 147 takes him 646 runs for the series, the third highest score in a series by an Indian.

It’s now just a question of how much the Indian tail wags.

The tourists trail by 216 runs with four wickets in hand.

9.45am — WATSON JUST NEEDS A HUG

It appears troubled all-rounder Shane Watson has hit some form at just the right time as Australia looks to clean up India’s tail on day 4.

Watson took two wickets in two balls late yesterday — the first time he’s taken two wickets in a session since 2011.

The crucial wickets were the first real sign that the SCG pitch is finally coming to life, which is good news for the Aussies who need to take five wickets early today if they’re any hope of scoring a win.

Watson finally made something happen with the ball late on day three, removing danger man Ajinkya Rahane and then Suresh Raina with consecutive deliveries.

They were breakthroughs Australia desperately needed on a lifeless wicket, and also a circuit-breaker for the most under-fire figure in Australian cricket.

Watson has been copping it social media for much of the series as he underdelivered with the bat and failed to take wickets.

Teammate David Warner sensed it at training on match-eve, when he saw Watson was sitting on a cooler, head in hands and suffering an upset stomach.

“I thought he needed a hug, the big man,” Warner said.

“If I see a mate that’s down I’ll go over there and give him a bit of a hug.”

Fingers crossed Watto has hugged it out again overnight and can take a few more wickets today as Indian batsmen Virat Kohli and Wriddhiman Saha dig in to bat out the first session after finishing yesterday at 5/342.

Will this pitch break up enough for a victory? A top temp of 33 degrees today should help #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/Te8P1UZnnJ — cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) January 8, 2015

9.30am — SPIDERCAM HERE TO STAY

Australian coach Darren Lehmann insists he has no problem with Channel 9’s Spidercam after it appeared to cost his side a crucial wicket on day 3 at the SCG.

Skipper Steve Smith blamed the aerial camera after dropping batsman Lokesh Rahul, who went on to make 110.

After dropping the catch, Smith pointed to the air and blamed ‘the f***ing wire’ which allows Spidercam to zoom over the top of the SCG pitch.

In a statement, Channel 9 and Cricket Australia admitted the camera’s wires had gotten in the way.

“Captain Steve Smith was distracted by one of the wires in his eye line,” CA said in a statement.

“Both CA and Nine will continue to work together on the use of spidercam in the broadcast coverage and will take on board any player feedback as necessary.

“As it stands, if any player has a concern about the placement of spidercam they can ask the umpires for it to be moved.”

“It was just the wire moving and the camera moving as the ball was coming down, and he had the sun, so it was a pretty difficult catch,” Lehmann said.

Australia’s coach believes spidercam is good for the game — he just wants Channel Nine to work with CA in order to make sure it doesn’t get in the players’ line of sight.

“Not ideal where it was positioned for that particular ball, but I actually like watching it,” he said.