Just as they did against England last winter, Australia ended the fourth day of the Adelaide Test as the only potential victors, notwithstanding the concession of more than 500 in the first innings. Even with no Shane Warne to counter, India knew that batting the final day to salvage a draw would not be straightforward on a turning pitch.

In batting for most of the weekend, Australia edged past India’s total to ensure a series victory. It was not fast-scoring Australia batting of the modern type, but more the pragmatic variety needed to close out India.

Their run-rate of 3.11 per over was sedate by their standards, and compared with India’s 3.44 in their first innings. Matthew Hayden, who made his third hundred of the series, off 181 balls, complained that a soft ball and India’s persistent line wide of off stump constricted Australia.

Ricky Ponting, who was even slower to what was his first Test hundred in eight matches – the last being against England on this ground – had to work particularly hard for his runs, handicapped by a bad back that eventually necessitated a runner. Michael Clarke’s sixth Test century was the slowest of the three but no less valuable. Their fourth-wicket partnership of 210 in 65 overs effectively ended India’s hopes of squaring the series.

Adam Gilchrist was given a rapturous ovation by a crowd of 19,407 when he walked out to bat. One thunderous straight drive off Irfan Pathan for four required Billy Bowden to dive for cover to avoid decapitation. In the same over, Gilchrist miscued to cover and walked off to more emotional applause, waving to his family in the Bradman Stand.

Deprived of Rudra Pratap Singh, who pulled a hamstring after bowling four overs, India’s attack made little impression. The specialist spinners were a disappointment and only Virender Sehwag’s part-time off spin proved effective, bringing him the wicket of Ponting, who chopped on to his stumps.