Australia in control of Adelaide Test despite Kohli's ton

Adelaide, Jan.26 (ANI): Australia continue to remain in control of the fourth and final Test against India on the third day on Thursday at the Adelaide Oval here, after bundling the visitors out for 272.

By stumps, Australia, which had already established a lead of 332, enhanced it to 382. Australia have scored 50 runs for the loss of three wickets in their second innings, leaving India facing a major challenge of batting out a major part of the remaining two days.

The only saving grace for India was Virat Kohli's first Test hundred (116) in what appears to be a losing cause, and a possible four nil series whitewash.

For Australia, fast bowler Peter Siddle finished with five wickets (5 for 49), while fellow speedster Ben Hilfenhaus ended with a 3 for 62 haul.

The Indians fell 133 runs short of the follow-on mark, but Australian skipper Michael Clarke preferred to give his bowlers a break and ensure India had the task of batting last on a pitch that could deteriorate on the fifth day.

So far, the Australians have lost David Warner for 28, Ed Cowan for 10 and Shaun Marsh for a duck. Marsh is now almost certain to be dropped for the tour of the West Indies after putting up scores of 0, 3, 0, 11, 3 and 0.

At the close, Michael Clarke was on 9 and Ricky Ponting on1.

Australia is likely to bat until about lunch on the fourth day before giving their bowlers the chance to attack India's batsmen again.

Earlier in the day, Kohli did have support from wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha between lunch and tea, and it appeared the two were going to steer India through a session without losing a wicket, something they haven't achieved in the series.

That goal proved out of reach when Saha misjudged a leave in the final over before tea and lost his off stump on 35 as Ryan Harris nipped the ball back in.

In the first session of the day, India lost the wickets of Sachin Tendulkar (caught by Ponting in the slips), Gautam Gambhir (caught by a diving Michael Hussey in the gully region) and VVS Laxman (caught behind of Lyon). Tendulkar scored 25, Gambhir 34 and Laxman 18.

Kohli's ton came of 233 deliveries and contained eleven boundaries and a six. (ANI)