Steven Smith, Mitchell Johnson inspire Australia turnaround

Australia have finished the afternoon session with a 97-run lead over India on day three of the second Test at The Gabba.

The Aussies head into tea on 503-9 after losing three more wickets since this morning - where they lost two early on - but Steven Smith's side have managed to overtake the visitors' first-innings total.

It was Smith and Mitchell Johnson who were proving particularly stubborn at the crease at the beginning of the session, with the stand-in skipper clocking 133 for his sixth Test century before being dismissed by Ishant Sharma.

Johnson, meanwhile, came within 12 of his ton as Sharma foiled the impressive partnership by removing him on 88 after 93 balls.

Mitchell Starc (51*) and Josh Hazlewood (31*) took over the scoring mantle and helped establish the 95-run advantage ahead of the evening session.