Australia’s preparations for their 2013 Ashes tour took a giant leap forward on Saturday as they completed a four-nil sweep of their home Test series against India.

Chasing a world-record target of 500 to win the fourth Test, India resumed on 6-166 and were bowled out for 201 in 58 minutes of play at Adelaide Oval.

Australia’s 298-run win came after spinner Nathan Lyon claimed his best figures for the series of 4-63 in India’s second innings.

Ishant Sharma (two) fell caught behind to Ryan Harris (3-41) in the third over of the day and Wriddhiman Saha (three) was out next over in similar fashion to Peter Siddle.

Zaheer Khan batted like a millionaire in his usual carefree style and was caught at short cover off the bowling of Ben Hilfenhaus for 15 to make it 9-193.

Lyon ended the series when he had Umesh Yadav caught behind for one.

Michael Clarke’s men join South Africa on 111 ICC ratings points but Australia will stay in fourth position when ratings are calculated beyond the decimal point, also trailing first-placed England and second-placed India.

Australia batsman Mike Hussey said the team had been relentless with bat and ball.

“The bowlers in this series have been absolutely outstanding and it certainly gives the batsmen a lot of confidence,” said Hussey who averaged 58.6 in the series.

Lyon, a former Adelaide Oval groundsman, said his first home Test had been awesome.

“It all came to plan. I was lucky enough to scramble up the last one,” he said.

Double centuries from Ricky Ponting and skipper Michael Clarke set up Australia’s first-innings tally of 7-604 declared.

Australia’s next Test series is in the West Indies in April.

New Australian Twenty20 skipper George Bailey will lead the home side in Twenty20 matches against India at ANZ Stadium on Wednesday and at the MCG on Friday.