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.
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.
The reason Australia are in such a strong position at present is thanks in no small part to Warner, who scored 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 centuries and three half-centuries, although he was not without 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 and led to English umpire Ian Gould placing himself between the players in a bid to bring calm.
Warner also gloved a ball to the wicket-keeper down the leg-side but was given not out, while he was also dropped at gully by Murali Vijay on 89.
Warner was finally dismissed for good in the final 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 (52 not out) and Mitchell Marsh (40 off 26 balls) to leave India on the ropes.
The tourists were earlier bowled out for 444 having resumed on 369 for five, with Nathan Lyon finishing with five for 134.
That earned Australia a lead of 73 and they quickly set about adding to that advantage, making lunch on 32 without loss.
The hosts lost Chris Rogers (21) softly soon after the resumption, but his fellow left-hander Warner was motoring along at the other end.
The batsman took a moment to applaud when news came through of Sean Abbott's figures of six for 14 for New South Wales in his first match since bowling the ball which killed Hughes, and Warner also took another moment to remember his former team-mate when he reached 63.
Soon after Warner was trudging off, thinking he had been clean bowled by Aaron as he attempted a huge sweep.
But Aaron had over-stepped his mark, and when Warner returned he mocked Aaron's celebrations as he echoed his screams of "Come on!" back at the bowler.
That raised the temperature out in the middle and angry words were exchanged between the players more than once with the umpires forced to take action - something that was repeated again later in the day.
It did not rattle Australia however, and although Shane Watson (33) and Clarke (seven) came and went, Warner - while riding his luck - brought up his 11th Test hundred and with the help of some late fireworks from Marsh, which included 24 off a Karn Sharma over, put the hosts in a strong position to push for victory.
