India face uphill battle

Australia captain Michael Clarke decided against enforcing the follow-on after his Peter Siddle-inspired outfit overcame a fine maiden Virat Kohli century to take total command of the fourth Test against India at Adelaide Oval.

The home side took a 332-run first-innings lead after Siddle led the way with five for 49, overshadowing Kohli's 116 in India's 272 all out.

Australia slumped to 50 for three by the close of play but will nevertheless begin day four with victory looking all but assured.

After resuming at 61 for two, the rot set in early as Sachin Tendulkar again failed to convert a promising start into a landmark and long-awaited 100th international hundred when he was sent packing by Siddle, with the second ball of his second over of the morning, for 25 after pushing a low catch to Ricky Ponting diving forward at second slip.

Two overs later, Siddle got rid of Gautam Gambhir (34) with a superb lifting bouncer which caught the shoulder of the hopping, fending opener's bat, lobbing to gully where Mike Hussey scurried in and snared a fine, full-length diving catch.

From 87 for four, the Indians slipped to 111 for five when VVS Laxman nicked Nathan Lyon to Brad Haddin behind the stumps, the veteran gone for 18. India staged a recovery after lunch but on the stroke of tea lost Wriddhiman Saha for a well compiled 35 to be reduced to 225 for six.

Siddle almost snared his second Test hat-trick shortly after tea, first trapping a shuffling R Ashwin in front for five, with incoming batsman Zaheer Khan swinging wildly and edging to Haddin the very next ball for a golden duck. However, Ishant Sharma blocked out the hat-trick ball.

Kohli had survived a big lbw shout off Ryan Harris on 91. And on 99 he flashed at a couple of testing Siddle offerings outside off stump before almost being run out seeking the momentous single off the last ball of the over. He had to turn back quickly and dive back in his crease, but a direct hit would have sealed his fate.

Kohli finally brought up his ton with a push for two through the covers. Sharma (16) provided steady support before Ben Hilfenhaus knocked over his off stump and Kohli was the last man out after he missed a Hilfenhaus full toss to be trapped lbw for a marvellous lone hand of 116 off 213 balls.

David Warner and Ed Cowan put on 39 for Australia's first wicket before three batsmen fell for the addition of one run. Clarke and Ricky Ponting will resume in the morning with Clarke having contributed nine to their stand of 10.