Cricket: Australia hammer India in landslide win

Virat Kohli of India runs past Peter Siddle of Australia during day three of the Third Test. Photo / Getty Images

Australia regained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after thrashing India by an innings and 37 runs on day three of the third Test in Perth.

Australia had claimed a 208-run lead on the first innings then the home side bowled India out for 171 in their second innings with the last four wickets falling in 3.2 overs after the lunch break.

No.6 batsman Virat Kohli was last man out for 75, caught behind off Peter Siddle who claimed 3-43 after his 3-42 in India's first dig.

Ben Hilfenhaus took 8-97 for the match after striking three times in the third over after lunch, removing Vinay Kumar (six) and Zaheer Khan (0) caught at first slip by Michael Clarke in successive deliveries.

Ishant Sharma (0) lasted three balls before popping a catch to short leg.

"It has been a fantastic Test match. Don't forget Davey Warner's 180," Hilfenhaus said of opener Warner's match-winning knock in Australia's first innings of 369.

Hilfenhaus has claimed 23 wickets at an average of 16.00 in the series while Siddle (17 at 19.58) has also been a huge success.

Both may be in line for a rest for the dead-rubber fourth Test in Adelaide starting on January 24 with spinner Nathan Lyon likely to return to the side after being dropped for an all-pace attack in Perth.

India had resumed on 4-88 and reached 6-165 at lunch.

Rahul Dravid on 47 was unable to defend an inswinger from Ryan Harris at 5-135 after adding 84 for the fifth wicket with Kohli.

Skipper MS Dhoni (two) looked uncomfortable on the fast and bouncy WACA pitch before edging a catch to Ricky Ponting at second slip off Siddle's bowling.

Dhoni's world No.2-ranked side have lost seven successive Tests away from home against England (4-0) and Australia (3-0).

Australia captain Clarke said it was a wonderful feeling to clinch the trophy.

"We want to end the series four-nil. We'll have a few beers tonight," he said.

Man-of-the-match Warner said he was thrilled to have finally proved he was a Test-quality player after struggling to even get a first-class game for NSW in recent years.

- AAP