Australia captain Steve Waugh bowed out of international cricket with the kind of innings which epitomised his glittering career.

Waugh's swansong knock of 80 against India in Sydney had the determination and class he has constantly shown since his debut, also against the Indians, back in 1985.

It also helped Australia to close on 357 for six, save the fourth and final Test and ensure their captain's last series as a player would not finish in defeat but instead a 1-1 draw.

Waugh, who finished his career as the second-highest Test run-scorer and with a batting average of 51.06, was finally dismissed with five overs remaining when attempting a big hit off Anil Kumble as he chased a 33rd Test century.

For the 27,000-plus crowd in the SCG, and millions watching across the world, there was a collective sigh as Waugh missed out on a romantic ton.

That mattered not to the man himself who was celebrating an ''amazing day''.

''It was nice (to get the 80) - it's always nice to finish with a high score,'' he said.

''But as important, it was a great performance from the side.

''I'm just really happy right now, it's been an amazing day.

''Everyone's played really well today, and we made a good effort of getting the win.

''To be carried around the field by my teammates at the end, that was really special.''

Most of Waugh's runs came in a crucial 142 partnership with Simon Katich for the fifth wicket.

It was a vital stand by the pair, forcing India to change to a more defensive mentality in the final hour.

Australia even briefly threatened to reach the mammoth target of 443 for an unlikely victory.

Katich finished unbeaten on 77, ensuring an evenly contested series ended appropriately.

The result also sees India retain the Border-Gavaskar trophy which they won the last time these sides met in Test cricket in 2001.

Waugh passed his 50 from 115 balls - including 11 fours - and Katich followed him to the landmark.

Waugh - with time running out - hit out in an attempt to finish with a century.

But his sweep picked out Tendulkar in the deep - giving rise to a prolonged standing ovation.

Australia then lost Adam Gilchrist cheaply, stumped off Kumble who finished with 12 for 279. Jason Gillespie and Katich saw out the remaining overs.

l Dwayne Smith blazed his way to a stunning debut century, becoming the first man from the Caribbean to achieve the feat for 25 years, as the West Indies forced a draw against South Africa in the third Test at Newlands.

The 20-year-old had just one first-class century to his name prior to this match, but he scorched to his second off just 93 balls. He was 105 not out when the teams agreed to stop play five overs early.