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Vadodara: If the best way to spark interest in a seven-match ODI series is to stage a brilliantly tense opener, then Australia and India achieved their goal in Vadodara
Australia have clinched a nerve-wracking thriller. The Indian spinners went for 96 runs in 19 overs and picked up 2 wickets while the Aussie spinners went for 56 runs in 13 overs and picked up 2 wickets.
The Aussie batting had four half-centurions while India had only one. However, both the teams bowled badly in the death overs and it is something they have to ponder about. India gain psychological advantage even though they lost the match. However, India still has some problems in batting, bowling and fielding. They looked good in parts.
Australia, well, played superbly except for the last few overs where they almost snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. But all and all, excellent makings of a fantastic series. The teams now head to Nagpur for the second ODI.
Michael Hussey is the man-of-the-match for his 54-ball 73.
Earlier, After winning the toss and opting to bat, Australia scored a mammoth 292 for 8 in 50 overs. India stuttered at the start, losing openers Sehwag and Tendulkar early. The middle-order then resurrected the innings and kept India in the hunt with excellent partnerships. But then, Gambhir's wicket turned the match around as India lost 4/34 in 39 balls. And when things were shaping up to an easy Aussie win, out came two lower order batsmen, Harbhajan Singh and Praveen Kumar, who added 84 in 57 balls for the eighth wicket!
India almost pulled off a magnificient victory needing 9 off the last 6 balls but Harbhajan Singh's wicket in the second ball of the final over put out India's hopes as Australia crossed the line. Not much difference between the two teams in batting. The Aussie bowling was more disclipined than the Indian one.
main thing which proved to be the main difference was the fielding. India gave away too many runs in the field and misfielded many times which was far lower on the Australian side. Also, running between the wickets for India was slack and Australia proved to be better. Excellent knock of 68 from Gambhir and valiant knocks from Harbhajan Singh(49) and Praveen Kumar(40 not out). Wickets for all the bowlers apart from Hopes with the bowler having the best average was Johnson with 2/59 while the economically best bowler was Nathan Hauritz.
Earlier, Australia have reached 292 for 8 at the end of the first innings. Excellent last over by Ishant Sharma, picking up 2 wickets and just conceding a single. After the early loss of Watson, all the batsmen from number 2 to number 5, namely, Paine, Ponting, White and Hussey, got half-centuries, with Ponting being the top-scorer with 74.
Hussey stayed almost till the end and made sure that Australia got to a good score. Indian bowling looked good in pieces, but they allowed far too many singles.
Brief score
Australia: 292 for 8 (Ponting 74, Hussey 73, Ishant 3-50)
India: 288 for 8 (Gambhir 68, Harbhajan 49)
Result: Australia won by 4 runs
MOM: Michael Hussey (Australia)
