Australia is well-placed to become the first side in Test cricket history to win five series in a calendar year.

It will achieve that feat if it can beat Pakistan over the last two days of the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.

Pakistan will resume its second innings on 5-85, an overall lead of only 47.

Australia wrested the advantage from the tourists on Tuesday when it recovered from 7-254 to be all out for 379.

A 93-run partnership for the eighth wicket between Damien Martyn (142) and Jason Gillespie (50no) proved the turning point of the day.

Pakistan was also hampered when it was reduced to three full-time bowlers.

All-rounder Abdul Razzaq had to spend most of Tuesday in hospital after falling ill the night before and it remains unclear whether he will play.

Australia's four-pronged bowling attack again tore through the Pakistan top order late Tuesday afternoon.

The weather could intervene for the third-straight day on day four, with showers forecast before a fine afternoon.

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