David Warner scored his second century of the match as Australia set the platform for a final-day push for victory in the first Test against India in Adelaide.
On a day when the umpires were forced to intervene on a several occasions as tempers flared between the two sides, in-form Warner added 102 to his first-innings 145 to help Australia close on 290 for five - a lead of 363.
Only one team has successfully chased more than 300 in the fourth innings to win a Test in Adelaide, and that was back in 1902 when the hosts beat England, so Australia will feel confident they have enough runs in the bank already.
.@seanabbott77 takes 6-14 during 7 second-innings overs on his return to the Sheffield Shield pic.twitter.com/GHmzoRzCkw
— England Cricket (@ECB_cricket) December 12, 2014
However, with India's top order packed full of batting talent, it remains to be seen if Michael Clarke will declare overnight or look to further stretch his side's lead in the morning as they seek victory in their first match since the tragic death of Phillip Hughes.
Australia's strong position owes much to Warner, who struck two tons in a Test for the second time in 2014, having notched 135 and 145 against South Africa in March.
The left-hander now has 1,061 runs in seven Tests this year, with six hundreds and three half-centuries, although he had some fortune on a niggly fourth day at the Adelaide Oval.
He was given out when on 63 only to be brought back as bowler Varun Aaron had over-stepped, an incident which saw the first confrontation between the two teams.
While on 70 Warner also gloved a ball to the wicketkeeper down the leg side but was given not out, and he was also dropped at gully by Murali Vijay on 89.
Warner was finally dismissed in the last session, bowled round the legs attempting a reverse-sweep at Karn Sharma, but Australia went on the offensive in the closing stages through Steven Smith and Mitchell Marsh, who hit 52 not out and 40 off 26 balls respectively.
Credit to my good mate sean_abbott bowling NSW to victory against QLD today. Been a tough week for… http://t.co/IR9x61YAqI
— David Warner (@davidwarner31) December 12, 2014
The tourists were earlier bowled out for 444 having resumed on 369 for five, with Nathan Lyon striking thrice for figures of 5-134.
The hosts lost Chris Rogers for 21 soon after lunch, but his fellow left-hander Warner was motoring along at the other end.
He dominated a century partnership with Shane Watson, who made 33, before first-innings centurion Clarke registered just seven. Warner had Smith for company when he raised his 11th Test ton.