Australia crush India to claim a series whitewash

Australia regained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy they lost in India in 2010

Australia wrapped up a 4-0 whitewash with a 298-run win within 59 minutes on the last day at Adelaide Oval as India fell to their eighth consecutive defeat.

The tourists began the day at 6 for 166, with no hope of chasing the target of 500 or batting all day to play out the draw and after Ishant Sharma edged behind off Ryan Harris for 2 Wriddhiman Saha followed him, edging behind off Peter Siddle before Zaheer skied a catch off Ben Hilfenhaus for 15 before Australia's 298-run victory was finalised when Nathan Lyon found the edge of Umesh Yadav's bat and Brad Haddin gloved the ball cleanly.

That gave spinner Lyon 4 for 63, an encouraging end to a series in which he was the least effective of Australia's four main bowlers. Harris ended up with 3 for 41.

Paceman Peter Siddle was named as man of the match for his five-wicket haul in the first innings, while Aussie skipper Michael Clarke took the man of the series prize after a golden series in which he scored 626 at an average of 125.20.

It was not until the final Test of the series that India found a, and then it was the newest member of the top six, Virat Kohli.

VVS Laxman averaged 19.37 for the series, Virender Sehwag averaged 24.75, Rahul Dravid 24.25, Gautam Gambhir 22.62, MS Dhoni 20.40 and Sachin Tendulkar 35.87 but Virat Kohli was a bit different, only centurion in Indian squad, whose 300 came at 37.50.

There is now immense pressure on the experienced Indian players to quit but Virender Sehwag made it clear that wholesale changes to the side were unlikely.

"I don't think [changes] are due because the same team played in the last couple of years when we became the number one team in the world with the same batting and bowling line-up," explained Sehwag.

"When we won the World Cup everyone was happy and cheering for Team India, and now the time we need the support of the fans and everybody, they should back their own team.

"If you look at the Australian team, they were struggling as well in the Ashes last year and they got out for 47 in South Africa, so it happens with every team.

"There are experienced players in our team - one bad series doesn't make any difference for them, so they are working hard on their batting skills and they'll find a way."

India coach Duncan Fletcher has lost each of his last nine Tests in Australia, having presided over England's 5-0 defeat in 2006/07.

Australia now host India in two Twenty20 internationals before the two countries compete in a one-day international tri-series also involving Sri Lanka.
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