Scott Boland stars as Australia secure WTC final spot against Proteas

It was match for the bowlers on a lively SCG pitch that didn't produce a single team score above 200 in any of the four innings and was completed in just three days.

Australia's hero, Scott Boland, might not have even played the game had encumbant Josh Hazlewood been fit and, even after picking up 10 wickets in the game, might not even be selected for Australia's next Test against Sri Lanka.

India won the toss and elected to bat even though it was clear conditions were in favour of the bowlers because there was little indication things would improve for the batters as the game wore on.

Rishabh Pant top scored for the visitors in the first innings with just 40 as wickets fell at regular intervals and India were only able to amass a total of 185.

Boland starred with the ball, picking up figures of 4/31, with Mitchell Starc grabbing three scalps and captain Pat Cummins chipping in with two.

Australia also struggled in their first innings but looked like they would be able to muster a lead after debutant Beau Webster played a lovely 57 off 105 balls.

However, an almighty collapse left the hosts 181 all out and facing a deficient of four runs.

India's openers looked like they were keen to take the game away from Australia as fast as possible, with Yashavi Jaiswal smacking Starc for four boundaries in the first over.

Pant top-scored again, this time with a brisk 61 off 33 balls, but the unpredictable pitch and some sharp bowling from Australia's quicks meant the India batters never looked truly settled.

They were skittled for just 157, leaving Australia a doable but seemingly tricky target of 162 for the win.

Sam Kontas and Usman Khawaja got the innings off to a decent start but their dismissals, followed quickly by both Marnus Labuschagne and Steven Smith, meant India still felt like they were in the game.

However, a match-winning partnership from Travis Head and Webster steered the home side to a famous win and secured their place in the World Test Championship against South Africa.