By: K. Gautam
Rain saved India from what looked like a scratchy run chase. India had gotten into a tangle by requiring too much to chase under the lights. Cricket is a funny game, but Michael Clarke who scored a brilliant 130 (132 balls, 10X4, 3X6) probably batted India out of the match.
India couldn’t stamp its authority after Australia was reeling at 18 for 2 in the 5th and 90 for 4 in the 17th. The decisive moment in the match was Michael Clarke taking on Ramesh Powar, after the bowler bowled a brilliant first over, beating the batsmen in flight. Unlike the English and the South Africans, whose timidity against a quality spinner might have handed India the game in a platter, Clarke was dauntless. He used his feet brilliantly hitting Powar for two sixes, leaving the bowler unsettled.
Early Wickets
Yuvraj made a good start to the series taking an airborne catch diving to his right, to dismiss Adam Gilchrist. Sreesanth despite his initial waywardness got one to cut in to dismiss Brad Hodge. He won another battle with Hayden enticing the batsman to go for a wild heave and later on dismissed Andrew Symonds with a slower one.
Partnership
Michael Clarke and Brad Haddin put on 144 of just 153 balls for the 5th wicket, the Indian bowling and fielding not able to exert any sort of pressure. Dhoni missed a chance to stump Clarke of the bowling of Pathan, and he made them pay for it. Clarke enthralled with well-controlled on-side shots, which were a treat to watch. He thoroughly deserved a good round of applause from an otherwise partisan crowd.
Brad Haddin (69 of 83 balls, 7X4, 1X6) at the other end played second fiddle to Clarke, rotating the strike with hardly a fuss, taking the odd risks.
Death Bowling
Despite losing early wickets, Australia managed to score 124 runs in the last 15 wickets and 87 runs in the last 10, which doesn’t hold the Indian death bowling in good stead. Even the consistent RP Singh went for runs, not getting his yorkers right. Only Sreesanth and Pathan were relatively accurate.
India has been let off the hook due to the weather. They should learn from the mistakes they have made in this game and come up with a better strategy in the next game. Otherwise they are going to get walloped by the 50-over World Champions, their pride dented in the 20/20.
New ICC rules
There were three changes in rules that were applied for the first time in a 50-over game – free-hit of a front-foot no-ball, the ball being changed after the 35th over in each innings, and one extra fielder allowed outside the circle during the 2nd and 3rd Power Plays.
Rain saved India from what looked like a scratchy run chase. India had gotten into a tangle by requiring too much to chase under the lights. Cricket is a funny game, but Michael Clarke who scored a brilliant 130 (132 balls, 10X4, 3X6) probably batted India out of the match.
India couldn’t stamp its authority after Australia was reeling at 18 for 2 in the 5th and 90 for 4 in the 17th. The decisive moment in the match was Michael Clarke taking on Ramesh Powar, after the bowler bowled a brilliant first over, beating the batsmen in flight. Unlike the English and the South Africans, whose timidity against a quality spinner might have handed India the game in a platter, Clarke was dauntless. He used his feet brilliantly hitting Powar for two sixes, leaving the bowler unsettled.
Early Wickets
Yuvraj made a good start to the series taking an airborne catch diving to his right, to dismiss Adam Gilchrist. Sreesanth despite his initial waywardness got one to cut in to dismiss Brad Hodge. He won another battle with Hayden enticing the batsman to go for a wild heave and later on dismissed Andrew Symonds with a slower one.
Partnership
Michael Clarke and Brad Haddin put on 144 of just 153 balls for the 5th wicket, the Indian bowling and fielding not able to exert any sort of pressure. Dhoni missed a chance to stump Clarke of the bowling of Pathan, and he made them pay for it. Clarke enthralled with well-controlled on-side shots, which were a treat to watch. He thoroughly deserved a good round of applause from an otherwise partisan crowd.
Brad Haddin (69 of 83 balls, 7X4, 1X6) at the other end played second fiddle to Clarke, rotating the strike with hardly a fuss, taking the odd risks.
Death Bowling
Despite losing early wickets, Australia managed to score 124 runs in the last 15 wickets and 87 runs in the last 10, which doesn’t hold the Indian death bowling in good stead. Even the consistent RP Singh went for runs, not getting his yorkers right. Only Sreesanth and Pathan were relatively accurate.
India has been let off the hook due to the weather. They should learn from the mistakes they have made in this game and come up with a better strategy in the next game. Otherwise they are going to get walloped by the 50-over World Champions, their pride dented in the 20/20.
New ICC rules
There were three changes in rules that were applied for the first time in a 50-over game – free-hit of a front-foot no-ball, the ball being changed after the 35th over in each innings, and one extra fielder allowed outside the circle during the 2nd and 3rd Power Plays.
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