Australia start India tour with a win
Australia got their tour of India off to a good start, defeating an India Board
President’s XI by 103 runs in Chennai.
All-rounder Marcus Stoinis starred for the Aussies, hitting 76, while David
Warner (64), Steve
Smith (55) and Travis
Head (65) also plundered half centuries as Australia charged to a total of 7-347.
Stoinis, batting down the order at No. 6, launched five sixes in his innings and was joined by a rampant Matthew Wade late on, with the wicketkeeper blasting a quick-fire 45 off just 24 deliveries. Stoinis, who hasn’t played an international since February against New Zealand then produced a fine effort with the ball, removing opener Shreevats Goswami for 43 and taking 1-13 off four tight overs.
While he kept it tight Ashton Agar was the man who did most of the damage. The leftarm tweaker took 4-44 off 8.2 overs as he ripped through the India XI’s middle and lower order.
James Faulkner, Adam Zampa and Kane Richardson also picked up wickets as Australia bowled the XI out for 244.
Stoinis isn’t just keen to push for ODI selection but hinted he would like a shot at the Test side in the near future.
“If you’re asking me ... bloody oath but you’ll have to talk to someone who makes a decision,” Stoinis said when asked if he would like to be in the Test side. While Stoinis was happy with the performance from Australia he did feel they will have to improve further against an India side who have won eight of their last nine ODI matches since their disappointing Champions Trophy final loss to Pakistan.”
India won their series against the West Indies 3-1 before sweeping Sri Lanka 5-0 in Sri Lanka.
For Stoinis Australia’s ability to make big scores will be of the highest value. “They’re all India players) a threat, every single one of them. They are all very good players,” he said. “I think you’re going to have to score a lot of runs in this series. India are in form and batting very well ... heavy runs, 350 for sure.”
Australia take on India in the first ODI on September 17 in Chennai.-