Australia are slowly building a winning platform as they hold a 239-run lead over India in a rain-interrupted afternoon session on day four of the third Test at the MCG.

The Baggy Greens began the afternoon on 90-1 after a brief weather delay as Chris Rogers and Shane Watson returned to the crease.

However, Watson quickly returned to the pavilion as he edged a delivery from Ishant Sharma behind to MS Dhoni to depart for 17.

Captain Steve Smith found it difficult to get into rhythm in the early stages of his innings due to some good bowling from the tourists as the run rate slowed.

Rogers continued his fine knock as he brought up his half-century off 81 deliveries, which included six boundaries, but his partnership with Smith was to end when the skipper was caught at leg slip by Ajinkya Rahane for 14 off Umesh Yadav.

The veteran batsman and Shaun Marsh pushed the lead over the 200-run mark before Rogers became Ravichandran Ashwin's second victim of the innings as he was bowled by the off-spinner.

Marsh and Joe Burns saw out the remainder of the session, with their side at 174-4 at the break.