Australia wrap up nine-wicket win
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Hayden scored 189 runs in the match
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MELBOURNE, Australia -- Australia made short work of their 95-run target to claim victory by nine wickets on the final day of the third test against India, leveling the four-match series at 1-1.
Opener Matthew Hayden finished unbeaten on 53 and Ricky Ponting scored 31 as the home side took just 95 minutes to finish the job at Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Indian paceman Ajit Agarkar struck the only blow for the tourists when he trapped Justin Langer lbw for two.
The series will now be decided by the fourth test, which starts on Friday in Sydney. India are seeking their first ever series win in Australia while their hosts are seeking to avoid their first home defeat since losing to the West Indies in 1992-93.
"Yes, the stage is set for Sydney. I'm looking forward to it, it's all been very positive," said Australia captain Steve Waugh who will retire at the end of the series.
"I want to make sure that we play well as a team, that I do my job as a captain and as a batsman. But at the same time I've got to try and take some emotion in as well."
Career-best
Australia's victory was built around Ricky Ponting's career-best 257 in their first innings, who became the first player since Donald Bradman in 1930 to score three double centuries in the same calendar year.
That helped Australia make 558 in reply to India's 366.
Indian captain Saurav Ganguly had lost the initiative in the match on the second day, after batting well to reach 329-4 at the close of day one.
"Getting all out for 366, that's where I think we lost the game," said Ganguly.
"I thought 225, 230 would have been a fair target. We should have got a bit more runs in the first innings. We didn't do that and that's where you can win and lose test matches."
• Australia recalled fast bowler Jason Gillespie to their 13-man squad for the final test. Gillespie suffered a groin injury during the second test and his selection is subject to a fitness test.
