The New Nation - Internet Edition

AP, Adelaide

Ricky Ponting moved up a rung in cricket's batting elite with a century, matched by Michael Clarke, which pushed Australia close to India's first-innings total on the fourth day of the fourth cricket test Sunday.

Ponting made 140 and Clarke 118 in a 209-run fourth wicket partnership which helped Australia to 509-6 at tea, replying to India's first innings of 526.

With four sessions of the match remaining, India's chances of winning the match to square the four-test series have receded and Australia seems likely to hold on to its 2-1 series lead. Ponting's century was his 34th in 116 tests and brought him level with Sunil Gavaskar (125 tests) and Brian Lara (131 tests) on the all-time list of test century-makers.

Only Sachin Tendulkar, whose 153 in the first innings of this match was his 39th century in 146 tests, has scored more. Ponting came to the crease when Australia was 159-1 and was joined by Clarke at 241-3, following the dismissals of Michael Hussey and Matthew Hayden whose 103 was his 30th test century, placing him third on the Australian all-time list.

When Ponting and Clarke were finally separated, in the 149th over of the innings, Australia was 450-4 - only 76 behind India's total. Clarke posted his sixth test century, his second against India, in 256 minutes with six fours, as an equal partner in his stand with Ponting who suffered a back strain and batted the last portion of his innings with a runner.

Ponting's century was compiled in a minute less than five hours with eight fours, crowning a watchful innings which played Australia away from any threat of defeat. It was a welcome century for the Australian skipper, who had struggled for form previously in the series.

The afternoon session contained a cameo innings which may be the last in the 96-test career of Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist.Gilchrist, who Saturday announced he will retire from test cricket at the end of this match and from one-day internationals in several months, came to the wicket on Clark's dismissal 38 minutes before tea.

He walked from the Australian dressing room to the middle accompanied by a loud standing ovation, greater than those that marked the centuries of Ponting and Clarke.

He had spent only 21 minutes at the crease and had scored only 14 runs when he slashed a ball from Irfan Pathan to Virender Sehwag at cover. He paused momentarily then left the crease, acknowledging his family and the crowd.

Andrew Symonds (19) and Brad Hogg (1) carried Australia to tea without further loss.