It was surely too hot for cricket, if there is such a thing.

The mid-afternoon start meant the heat had long since baked into the Gabba. Every fan who turned up did so knowing what they were signing up for, most immediately searching for whatever shade and the coldest beverage they could find.

The players had less choice in the matter. The state of the game meant Australia knew they were turning up on Saturday to stand in the field with little reprieve for as many hours as it took to clear out the West Indies.

And through that slog of an afternoon, there was the tangible feeling that this bowling attack had reached the end of its tether.

Near enough to eight months of non-stop, high-stakes cricket had somehow led them to the Gabba, 40 degree heat and a West Indies side with a sniff of the unthinkable in its nostrils.

As they shuffled aimlessly between overs, feet barely leaving the turf, it had the all-too-familiar appearance of the grade cricket team well and truly past the point of caring.

But to their great credit, they kept charging in.

Even as the ball continuously avoided the edge and the batters steadfastly refused to take on the short-ball bait, Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins came and came again.

Throw in Nathan Lyon and you have the bowling quartet that has played every single Test of this summer. The quartet that has taken more Test wickets together than any other in cricket's history.

Their longevity and durability is as much a part of their collective greatness as their immense skill. Though the argument for rotation — and exposure for the next-in-line — is strong, these four absolutely deserve credit for their tireless work over the past few months.

Together, they have given Australia something within reach to chase at the Gabba.

There was a period immediately after tea in which the scope of Australia's challenge was to be determined. The West Indies tail, which made valuable first-innings runs through brave counter-attack, was capable of very quickly taking the game into uncomfortable areas for the hosts.

Instead, they shut up shop. With the game there to be won, the West Indies put their shots way and laid down. They hardly added to the total at all as Australia picked off the last few batters — either by taking their wickets or breaking their toes.

If this match ends up treading a predictable path, the Windies may well rue that session as the one that cost them the match. They have played without fear all series, until the moment they could put their opponents away.

A chase of 216 leaves the door ajar for Australia, and Steve Smith looks intent to blast through it.

It's been a long time since Smith ever faced any meaningful questioning about the standard of his batting, and though it is currently entirely limited to the position in the order he currently holds, there's no question he would be smarting.

Part of the lure of bumping Smith up the order was presenting him with a challenge. Smith, historically, has risen to any and every challenge that has confronted him.

A match-winning innings here would fit the bill nicely.

Fittingly, it will be Cameron Green who will join him at the crease to begin day four. It could be a banner day for The Narrative should it be those two who lift to lead Australia to victory.

The only other curveball facing this match is the weather, which is forecasted to be rather unpleasant indeed.

The rains may well arrive on Sunday afternoon, and if they do there is no guarantee they will be gone by Monday night. 

What a tremendous shame it would be to have a genuinely good Test match thwarted short of a result by the rain. As it sits right now, you could not confidently claim one side or the other would be "saved" by that weather, rather we all would be robbed of the climax we deserve.

Let us hope for good fortune with the weather, and one last gripping day for this Test match.