Cricket: Australia close to completing series sweep

Australia need four wickets to complete a four-nil series sweep against India after the tourists reached 6-166 at stumps on day four of the fourth Test in Adelaide.

India are chasing an almost impossible target of 500 to win, although a slight concern for Australia will be the showers forecast for Saturday.

Spinner Nathan Lyon has taken 3-57, claiming the big scalps of opener Virender Sehwag (62), VVS Laxman (35) and Sachin Tendulkar (13).

Laxman fell in the third-last over of the day.

In the following over, Ben Hilfenhaus produced a stunning direct hit from mid-wicket to run out Virat Kohli for 22. The pair had exchanged angry words during India's first innings when Kohli scored his maiden hundred (116).

Wriddhiman Saha is yet to score and Ishant Sharma is two not out.

Earlier, Gautam Gambhir was caught behind off Ryan Harris for three. Sehwag blasted his way to a half-century off 36 balls.

The Delhi thrasher took a huge swipe at a full toss from Lyon and top-edged a catch to cover for 62 after hitting 12 boundaries. Lyon looked embarrassed to claim the wicket.

Rahul Dravid (25) was caught at gully off Harris, ending a poor series in which the 39-year-old averaged 24.25.

Test cricket's leading runscorer, Tendulkar was caught at short leg off Lyon's bowling for 13 to make it 4-110.

The 38-year-old, who has been set to become the first player to score 100 international centuries since notching his 99th ton in March 2011, was given a standing ovation in what's likely to be his last Test appearance in Australia.

Sri Lankan umpire Kumar Dharmasena added to the drama by asking Tendulkar to wait for a video review of a possible no-ball before he was cleared to depart.

An Australian team spokesman confirmed the umpire was having trouble judging any possible no-balls because Harris's back foot blocked the umpire's view of his front foot.

Australia declared their second innings three overs after lunch at 5-167 with Ricky Ponting unbeaten on 60 and Brad Haddin 11 not out.

Skipper Michael Clarke contributed 37 and Mike Hussey made 15.

Clarke (125.2) and 37-year-old Ponting (108.8) averaged more than 100 for the series.

India would have to set a world record to win the fourth Test.

- AAP