A four-day finish loomed large when Australia lost their eighth wicket with nearly 15 overs still left on Saturday, but Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon temporarily stymied India's victory march in the third Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) with a stirring ninth-wicket partnership.

Cummins made his way to 61 not out, his highest Test score coming on the same day when he picked up his best Test figures of six for 27 in India's second innings. Lyon kept him company on a sedate six off 38 deliveries in a stand already worth 43, and promised that the remaining two wickets would try and take the game as deep as possible today.