India versus Australia 1st ODI: Australia starts the series with a convincing win
Australia started the One-day international series against
India with a convincing win played at Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney on Friday.
Australian captain Aaron Finch won the toss and decided to
bat first. Aaron Finch and David Warner made a cautious start against Mohammed
Shami and Bumrah. After the initial slow start, both openers looked steady with
attacking strokes putting pressure on Indian bowlers. At the end of the first
10 overs, Australia scored 51 for 0.
The Indian captain Kohli decided to bring Chahal into the attack,
but the Australian captain played him with a good approach. Finch and Warner played
according to the merit of the ball making life tough for the visitors. It was an
amazing partnership by both Australian openers who looked in complete control.
Indian bowlers tried all combinations to break the partnership but failed.
Finch completed his fifty off 69 balls while Warner made the
batting look easy with good running between the wickets. Warner completed his
fifty too off 54 balls. Mohammed Shami was bought into the attack and broke the
opening partnership dismissing Warner with a review. The umpire gave it not out
as the decision was overturned because there was an edge onto the bat. Warner and
Finch added 156 runs to lay a strong foundation for a massive total.
Steve Smith came to the crease and looked a little rusty. He
was given out by the umpire and the decision was overturned as the ball was
going over the stumps. The Indian fielding was not up to the mark as Shikhar
Dhawan dropped a chance at the boundary. Finch looked solid as ever and completed
his century off 117 balls. Steve Smith took the attack to Indian bowlers making
life tough completing his fifty off just 36 balls. Bumrah struck finally to
dismiss Finch with a slower bouncer. Finch and Smith added 108 runs for the 2nd
wicket. After the wicket of Finch, Chahal got rid of Stoinis with a lovely
catch by KL Rahul.
Glenn Maxwell came to the crease and upped the ante with his
aggressive stroke play. He was dropped by Hardik Pandya at the boundary. Maxwell created
enough pressure on the Indian bowlers with reverse sweeps against Chahal. Smith
played well against pacers and spinners making life tough for the opposition.
Mohammed Shami struck to dismiss the dangerous Maxwell for a quickfire 45 off
19 balls. Maxwell and Smith added 57 for the 4th wicket. Labuschagne
was dismissed by Saini caught at the boundary.
Steve Smith impressed with his stroke play and kept on
hitting runs at will. He completed the third-fastest century by an Australian
batsman in ODIs off 62 balls. Mohammed Shami bowled a superb yorker to dismiss
Smith. Alex Carey also played a good cameo to help Australia post a massive total
of 374 for 6 in 50 overs.
Chasing 375 runs to win, Mayank Agarwal and Shikhar Dhawan
started the innings with an aggressive note as Starc struggled for rhythm giving
20 runs in the first over. The Indian openers took the attack to Australian opening
bowlers. Josh Hazlewood struck for Australia dismissing Mayank Agarwal with a
good bouncer. The Indian openers put on 53 runs in just 5.2 overs. Adam Zampa dropped a simple chance to get rid of Kohli. Kohli played some lovely strokes putting the
pressure back on Australian bowlers. Hazlewood struck twice in the same over to
dismiss Kohli and Iyer. At the end of the first 10 overs, India made 80 for 3.
Zampa struck after the field restrictions getting rid of KL
Rahul with a full toss delivery to reduce India in some trouble.
Hardik Pandya took the attack and kept on hitting shots to
put some pressure on the Australian team. On other hand, Shikhar Dhawan played with the intent to keep the hopes alive. Australian fielding was too not up to the mark
as Maxwell dropped a sitter. Hardik Pandya hit the spinners for big shots and
then kept on taking singles. Pandya completed his fifty off 31 balls while
Dhawan reached his half-century too off 55 balls. The Indian duo looked in
decent touch and kept the momentum going.
Marcus Stoinis had to hobble off due to an injury. Zampa was
bought into the attack and got rid of dangerous Dhawan. Dhawan and Pandya added
128 runs for the 5th wicket. The task for too big for Team India as
they fell short of the target by 66 runs. Zampa was impressive with his bowling
while Hazlewood took 3 important wickets at the top.
The Australian team won the match easily by 66 runs as they
restricted India to 308 for 8 in 50 overs.
Australia 374 for 6 in 50 overs ( Finch 114, Smith 105,
Warner 69, Shami 3/59) beat India 308 for 8 in 50 overs ( Hardik Pandya 90,
Dhawan 74, Saini 29*, Zampa 4/54, Hazlewood 3/53) by 66 runs.
For his 105 off 66 balls, Steve Smith was named the man of
the match award. Australia takes a 1-0 lead in the 3 match series. The second match
will be played at the same ground on Sunday.
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