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Michael Clarke and Ricky Ponting have ensured that there is only one way traffic in the Test match with a brilliant 251-run stand for the fourth wicket. 

At the end of Day 1 Australia were 335-3 as the hosts consistently maintained a run rate of more than three-runs-per-over.

Ponting is going strong on 137, while Clarke is on 140.

Ponting struck his 41st Test century, while Clarke hit his 22nd, to take the initiative from the Indians.

Indians started the day on a positive note picking up three quick wickets in the opening sessoion, before Clarke and Ponting took the momentum away from the visitors.

R Ashwin was the most successful bowler with figures of 2-81 from from 21 overs, while Zaheer Khan was the other wicket-taker with figures of 1-52 from 17 overs.

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There is absolutely no intensity from the Indians as Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke continue to pile on runs.

Century from the Aussie middle order seems to have taken the wind out of the attack.

The duo have put on a 228 runs stand for the fourth wicket as Australia cross the 300-run mark.

With one more over to go before the new ball, it looks like Indians are just going through with the motion.

At the end of 78 overs Australia were 312-3. Ponting is on 129, while Clarke is on 126.

Interestingly Ponting has surpassed Clive Loyd as the highest scorer in Tests vs India -- no wonder why Aussies wanted him for the India series.

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After Ricky Ponting smashed his 41st Test hundred, it was time for skipper Michael Clarke to smash his 2nd century off the series -- 19th overall.

A chancless display from the Aussie skipper as he reached the landmark with a boundary off Umesh Yadav who has been completly off colour today.

Ponting and Clarke have put on a 189-run stand for the fourth wicket, with the Aussie skipper going strong on 89.

Earlier, Ponting hit a brilliant century to as he surpassed Clive Loyd as the highest scorer in Tests vs India.

Ponting reached the landmark with a boundary off Zaheer Khan as Australia were 273-3. 

Ponting is also now the third highest run-getter in Test after Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid. This is also the first series since Ashes 2006-07 that he has recorded two centuries in a Test series.

Indians have been off colour since lunch or should we say Australians showed better intent especially from Clarke who too is closing in on a century.

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Ricky Ponting smashes his 41st Test hundred to put the hosts in the drivers seat.

Ponting reached the landmark with a boundary off Zaheer Khan as Australia were 246-3. 

Ponting is also now the third highest run-getter in Test after Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid. This is also the first series since Ashes 2006-07 that he has recorded two centuries in a Test series.

Ponting and Michael Clarke have put on a 150-run stand for the fourth wicket, with the Aussie skipper going strong on 89.

Indians have been off colour since lunch or should we say Australians showed better intent especially from Clarke who too is closing in on a century.

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Australia has reached 214 for three at tea on Day One of the fourth and final Test in Adelaide.

Ricky Ponting is unbeaten on 91 and giving him company is captain Michael Clarke on 71.

The duo have so far put together an unbeaten 130-run stand for the fourth wicket, ensuring an Australian revival.

The hosts didn't lose a single wicket in the second session (having lost as many as three in the first) making the post-lunch phase a frustrating one for the visitors.

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Michael Clarke smashed a brilliant 69-ball 50 to put Australia on top in the second session of play.

Clarke along with Ricky Ponting have combined well for the hosts after they were wobbling at 84-3.

Clarke was severe on impressive Ashwin as he rocked on his backfoot and smashed boundary over deep midwicket.

He then chipped down the track to smash another boundary which brought his half-century.

At the end of 48 overs Australia were 177-3. Ponting is looking good for another century at Adelaide ground with 75, while Clarke is on 50. 

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After putting a vital 53-run stand for the third wicket, Ponting has now joined hands with skipper Michael Clarke to continue Australia's march.

The duo has added on a vital 68-runs stand as the hosts have come out positive after lunch. Indians on the other hand have gone into their shell. without much encouragement from the pitch or from the fielders around.

Umesh Yadav continued to leak runs, while Ashwin kept things tight for India.

At the end of 43 overs Australia were 154-3. Ponting is on 68, while Clarke is on 34

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Ricky Ponting completes yet another half-century as Australia begins the session on a positive note.

Umesh Yadav starts the proceedings after lunch as Ponting sqeezes the ball behind square for a couple which brings his half-century.

Australia were 113-3 after 32 overs.

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So at lunch Australia were 98-3 -- a session that has gone both ways.

India did the early damage by picking up David Warner and Shaun Marsh in opening hour.

Then Ed Cowan and Ricky Ponting put their heads down dishing out a 53-runs stand for the third wicket, before Ashiwin removed Cowan for 30 to tilt it in India's favour .

Ricky Ponting is in the middle 43 along with Michael Clarke who is on 8.

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Ashwin strikes at a crucial time with lunch just round the corner as he removes Ed Cowan.

Cowan who had been stubborn went in for a drive, little in the air enough for VVS to take a nice low catch to break the partnership.

It's Ashwin's second wicket of the morning and a good one too. Australia were 84-3 after 26 overs.

Ponting is on 37 and is joined by Michael Clarke who is yet to open his account.

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Ed Cowan and Ricky Ponting have steadied Australia after early loss and have taken Australia to 76-2 after 21 overs.

Australia lost Warner and Marsh in space of eight balls to peg Australia back after a sound start.

But since then Indian bowlers have had little impact on Aussie batsmen as in-form Ricky Ponting and steady Cowan have played with caution.

The duo have put on a 45 run stand for the third wicket. Cowan is on 28, while Ponting is on 31.  

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R Ashwin has been good with the new ball as he castles Shaun Marsh for just three.

A quicker delivery from the off-spinner as the ball sqeezes past the bat and pad gap to hit the off stump much to the delight of Indians.

It's been a good one hour for India.

Earlier Zaheer Khan had caught David Warner right in front of the stumps to provide the initial breakthrough.

Australia were 31-2 after 10 overs.

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Zaheer Khan provides the breakthrough for as he traps David Warner in front of the stumps for just eight.

Zaheer pushed Warner back as the ball crashes on the pads -- a loud appeal from the bowler without much support from behind the stumps but umpire Aleem Dar raises the finger after some thought.

Australia were 26-1 after seven overs. Ed Cowan is on 14 and is joined in by Shaun Marsh. 

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A hot day in Adelaide -- ideal for batting. Zaheer Khan back for his second over.

Umesh Yadav gave 12 runs in his first over as Ed Cowan turns one through the leg sidefor a single.

David Warner too flicks one for another single. Indians have been a bit slow on the field -- atleast that's what their body language suggests.

Zaheer is back on to the length as Australia were 18-0 after 3 overs.

Australia have won the toss and will be batting first in the fourth and final Test in Adelaide.

For India, Virender Sehwag is leading the side after MS Dhoni was banned for one Test for slow over rate.

Both teams have made changes to the side with Mitchell Starc making way for Nathan Lyon for Australia.

For India, R Ashwin replaces Vinay Kumar, while Saha is in for Dhoni.