Adelaide, January 27:

Ricky Ponting reached a higher place in cricket’s batting elite and Adam Gilchrist made a farewell cameo on Sunday as Australia moved closer to a series victory on the fourth day of the fourth Test against India.

Ponting made 140, his 34th Test century, and Michael Clarke made 118, his sixth, as Australia replied with 563 to India’s first innings of 526, a lead of 37. India lost makeshift opener Irfan Pathan for 0, survived a further scare when Virender Sehwag (33 not out) was dropped by Clarke at second slip and was 45 for one at stumps.

A day remains but little hope exists that India can pull a win on a pitch which has yielded 1,134 runs for 21 wickets in four days, which will level the series at 2-2. Australia needs only a draw to take the series 2-1 after its wins at Melbourne and Sydney against India’s win in Perth.

The 209-run fourth wicket stand between Ponting and Clarke ensured Australia staved off any possibility of a second straight Test defeat. They carried Australia from 241-3 to 450-4 before Andrew Symonds and Brad Hogg drew the home side level.

Ponting’s century was his 34th, bringing him level with India’s Sunil Gavaskar and the West Indies’ Brian Lara on the all-time list of Test century-makers. Only Sachin Tendulkar (39) has scored more.