Cricket: Intriguing finish in store at SCG

Australia skipper Steve Smith. Photo / Getty Images

Indian offspinner Ravichandran Ashwin says the fourth test against Australia is evenly poised ahead of what promises to be an exciting final day of the series at the SCG on Saturday.

With a declaration imminent, the Australians hold a lead of 348 going into the final day, as they seek a 3-0 victory in the best-of-four series after wins in Adelaide and Brisbane and a draw in Melbourne.

The first two tests could have gone either way, with batting collapses from India on both occasions leading to Australian wins.

But with the flat SCG pitch still playing well, as illustrated by Australia's second innings of 6-251 off just 40 overs, Ashwin believes the Indians to have every chance of leaving Australia with something to show for their efforts over the summer.

"The game could have been different .. it could have been a lot more different," Ashwin said.

"But having said that it's still pretty decently poised.

"We'll have to see how it goes. We batted pretty well in Adelaide and there's not a lot of devils in the wicket.

"But I definitely found it hard to score, it's a new-ball wicket."

Stand-in Australia skipper Steve Smith copped plenty of criticism for his conservative declaration in Melbourne.

But he is expected to make a declaration overnight to give his bowlers enough time to take the 10 Indian wickets required for victory.

"(The result) depends on what strategies they (Australia) adopt," Ashwin said.

-AAP