Paceman Mitchell Starc took 6-43 to help Australia to a four-wicket victory over India on Sunday, their second in succession in the one-day international tri-series, despite a brilliant Rohit Sharma century. Sharma's 138 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground enabled India to post a competitive total of 267 for eight after winning the toss and electing to bat.
However, on a placid pitch it always appeared slightly less than required and Australian opener Aaron Finch countered Sharma's century with a match-winning knock of his own.
Finch made 96 as Australia rattled up 269 for six, winning with six balls to spare.
He received great support from the in-form Steve Smith (47). The pair put on 101 for the third wicket as the home side appeared to be coasting to victory.
However, Finch fell when a century beckoned, caught behind by Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni from the bowling of Umesh Yadav, as the tourists made an unlikely late bid to snatch victory.
In an unexpectedly tense finish, Brad Haddin and James Faulkner got the Australians home with an unbroken 21-run stand.
Australian captain George Bailey, who faces a one-match suspension for slow over rates after his second breach in under 12 months, admitted he was disappointed the finish was so close.
"Would have been nice if we hadn't left it up to Faulkner," he said. "We dragged it back really well with the ball. We had the momentum when we came off the field."
In a blow to India, paceman Mohammed Shami was forced off the field with a leg problem after bowling the first ball of the 47th over.
Dhoni sought to stress the positives for his team, particularly the way they had responded when the game appeared lost. "That (attitude) will win us tournaments," he said.
India's innings was dogged by a poor start and a disappointing finish.
Beaten by the host nation 2-0 in the recent four-Test series, they found themselves in early trouble at 59 for three.
As was the case in Australia's big win over England in the series opener on Friday, left-arm paceman Starc claimed a wicket in the first over of the match - Shikhar Dhawan caught by Aaron Finch at second slip for just two.
Scoreboard
=========================================
India
=========================================
R. Sharma c Maxwell b Starc 138
S. Dhawan c Finch b Starc 2
A. Rahane c Haddin b Sandhu 12
V. Kohli c Bailey b Faulkner 9
S. Raina c Maxwell b Starc 51
M. Dhoni b Starc 19
A. Patel lbw Starc 0
R. Ashwin not out 14
B. Kumar b Starc 0
M. Shami not out 2
=========================================
Extras: (b1, lb3, w15, nb1) 20
=========================================
Total: (8 wickets, 50 overs) 267
=========================================
Fall of wickets: 1-3 (Dhawan), 2-33 (Rahane), 3-59 (Kohli), 4-185 (Raina), 5-237 (Dhoni), 6-237 (Patel), 7-262 (Sharma), 8-262 (Kumar)
Bowling: Starc 10-2-43-6, Cummins 10-0-52-0, Sandhu 10-0-58-1, Faulkner 10-0-63-1, Watson 8-0-33-0, Maxwell 2-0-14-0
=========================================
Australia
=========================================
A. Finch c Dhoni b Yadav 96
D. Warner c Raina b Yadav 24
S. Watson b Patel 41
S. Smith c Ashwin b Shami 47
G. Maxwell c and b Kumar 20
G. Bailey c Dhoni b Ashwin 5
B. Haddin not out 13
J. Faulkner not out 9
=========================================
Extras: (lb3, w11) 14
=========================================
Total: (6 wkts, 49 overs) 269
=========================================
Fall of wickets: 1-51 (Warner), 2-115 (Watson), 3-216 (Smith), 4-219 (Finch), 5-230 (Bailey), 6-248 (Maxwell)
Bowling: Kumar 9.5-0-44-1, Yadav 10-1-55-2, Shami 8.1-0-44-1, Patel 10-0-45-1, Ashwin 9-0-54-1, Raina 2-0-24-0
Australia won by four wickets
Toss: India
Umpires: Kumar Dharmasena (SRI), John Ward (AUS) TV umpire: Mick Martell (AUS)
Match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM).
Comments
Comments are closed.