Rain delayed the start of play on the third day of the first Test between Australia and India at the Gabba on Saturday.

The scheduled start had been brought forward half an hour after the first two days were cut short by showers and bad light.

The umpires had agreed to extend play on the final three days to make up for lost time but the prospects of getting a result were gloomy with more thunderstorms forecast over the weekend.

Australia are 323 for nine in their first innings after being put in to bat by Indian captain Saurav Ganguly. Test debutant Nathan Bracken is unbeaten on six, with Stuart MacGill one not out.

The home team were 262 for two after the opening day but lost seven wickets for 61 runs in a dramatic collapse on Friday. Fast bowler Zaheer Khan was the main destroyer, capturing five for 95.