The Boxing Day Test is set for an explosive conclusion on Tuesday as tensions between Australia and India threaten to boil over with the series on the line. And Ian Chappell has warned it is only a matter of time before sledging morphs into on-field biff.
It has been nearly seven years since relations were strained during the infamous Sydney Test but the temperament of both sides will be further tested on the final day in Melbourne with all three outcomes a distinct possibility after the visitors' bold fightback with the ball.
The Australians have so far kept their cool despite India's provocative behaviour but the hosts' chief antagonist, David Warner, warned the visiting team to brace for more "in-your-face cricket" during their run chase.
After lighting the fuse with his barbs on Sunday, Virat Kohli baited the home team again on day four. Dubbed a "spoilt brat" by the hosts, Kohli "lurked" dangerously close to Brad Haddin as the veteran took guard. He rushed in moments later to remind Haddin of his presence before umpires ushered him away.
Mitchell Johnson was also targeted, given a send-off after his dismissal, presumably in retaliation for striking Kohli with the ball the previous day. Kohli, whose public airing of what happens on the field has upset the Australians, is set to play a key role as India chase an unlikely victory to keep the series alive.
Warner said swearing and physical contact would cross the line, but made it clear India should not expect a Sunday picnic.
"Off the field, I think it's always going to be pretty good with the games of cricket we play around the world, and on the field when you put your international cap on it's a different story when you're out there, it's aggressive, hard cricket, we play to win," Warner said.
"Both teams want to win, and they're prepared to do whatever they can to win. Stepping over the line is probably not the right way to go about it, letting your bat and ball do the talking is the way to go best.
"We're still going to be playing our in-the-face cricket as we normally do but we won't be stepping across that line."
Australia's "in-your-face" style would be different to Kohli's, Warner said.
"If that's the way he wants to go about the game then let him be. We do play cricket in an aggressive style, but we're not going to be in your face like that at all. I personally think what happens on the field stays on the field and it shouldn't be brought off the field."
Indian players, including Kohli, have been censured in each of the first two Tests for poor on-field behaviour, and Warner was sanctioned in Adelaide.
The anticipation of fireworks comes as Chappell predicted players would soon trade physical blows if their sledging was not controlled.
He feared a batsman may use his bat to pound flesh rather than leather if pushed over the edge by the fielding team.
"The more players talk on the field, the more likelihood there is something personal will be said," Chappell wrote in a column for Mumbai's Mid-Day newspaper.
"If something personal is said at the wrong time there will eventually be an altercation on the field. When that happens it will be players who are punished and as is almost always the case, the administrators will escape scot-free, despite being guilty of allowing the problem to escalate to this point.
"Apart from the danger of an altercation on the field — and if you don't think that could be ugly, just remember one player has a bat in his hand — there is the simple matter of the batsman being entitled to peace and quiet while he's out in the middle."
