3rd test: Australia wins by an innings and 37 runs

PERTH, Australia (AP) — Australia hammered India by an innings and 37 runs inside two and half days of the third test to claim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on Sunday with a 3-0 lead in the four-match series.

Swing bowler Ben Hilfenhaus hurried Australia to victory after lunch at the WACA Ground with three wickets in the space of five deliveries as India was bowled out for 171 in its second innings.

Hilfenhaus finished with 4-54 while Peter Siddle took 3-43 including the wicket of Virat Kohli, who top scored with 75.

The series will go to a final test in Adelaide, where India will be striving to avoid yet another humiliating series whitewash. Including the recent series in England, India has lost seven straight overseas tests, with four of the past five defeats being by more than an innings.

India's hopes of arresting such poor form in this test faded quickly as it was bowled out for 161 runs on the first day, then watched as Australia took command thanks chiefly to a brilliant 180 by man-of-the-match David Warner which propelled Australia to 369.

India's top order crumbled again in the second innings, leaving the tourists on 88-4 at the start of play Sunday.

Kohli and Rahul Dravid showed some resistance in the first hour, putting together an 81-run stand before Dravid finally fell for 47, bowled yet again, this time by Ryan Harris.

Six overs later skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni was caught by second slip Ricky Ponting off Peter Siddle.

Kohli showed impressive temperament and talent to compile his highest test score, but the wickets continued to fall at the other end.

Beginning on 165-6 after lunch, India's innings lasted just 20 balls.

Hilfenhaus was on a hat-trick when he dismissed tailenders Vinay Kumar (6) and Zaheer Khan (0) off successive balls after lunch. Ishant Sharma thwarted Hilfenhaus' hopes but lasted just three balls before fending a catch to shortleg Ed Cowan.

Hilfenhaus and Siddle finished with a match hauls of 8-97 and Siddle to 6-86 respectively.