Australia win by four wickets
Australia beat India by four wickets in the Third One Day International played in Mohali last night. For the second time in the match, Australia frittered away a strong position when they had put together another solid opening partnership before allowing themselves to be tied down. A start of 68 for 0 in 12.1 overs became 88 for 3 in 19.1. For their part, India’s much criticised bowlers did well, bringing their side back with tight lines and lengths that squeezed the runs and built pressure.
Aaron Finch began solidly again, putting away wide or over pitched deliveries from the India seamers for boundaries. While Hughes could not really get going, Finch’s form meant Australia were right up with the asking-rate. Things changed quickly after the first Powerplay. Vinay Kumar and Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowled a couple of tight overs, and Hughes, in trying to stab one to third man,
Adam Voges who was unbeaten on 74 square cuts the ball.
edged to the wicketkeeper for a slow 22. The two seamers continued with a wicket-to-wicket line, Vinay banging in the odd, accurate bouncer.
Third ball after drinks, Ishant Sharma rapped Finch on the pad, and umpire C Shamshuddin sent the opener back with a marginal decision. With Ravindra Jadeja’s left-arm darts being introduced now, Australia retreated further into their shell. Three overs after Finch exited, Watson got a poor decision from umpire Richard Kettleborough, who raised his finger despite Jadeja’s delivery headed clearly down leg.
Dhoni now introduced left-arm spin from both ends and Australia stalled further. George Bailey and Adam Voges weren’t able to score against the leg-stump line from Jadeja and Yuvraj Singh. Even as the duo raced through their overs, the asking-rate neared eight.
India 303 for 9 in 50 overs (RG Sharma 11, V Kohli 68, SK Raina 17, MS Dhoni 139 n.o, R Ashwin 28, B Kumar 10; MG Johnson 4 for 46)
Australia 304 for 6 in 50 overs (PG Hughes 22, AJ Finch 38, SR Watson 11, GJ Bailey 43, AC Voges 76 n.o, BJ Haddin 24, JP Faulkner 64 n.o; R. Vanay Kumar 2 for 50)