Australia shocks India in ODI
SYDNEY: Australia’s reserve pacemen and recalled batsmen stood up to shock India by 34 runs at the SCG, when Rohit Sharma scored 133 but could not overhaul the hosts’ 288 for five in the ODI series opener on Saturday.
Desperate to shore up a World Cup defence that looked in awful shape after three wins from Australia’s past 21 completed ODIs, selectors made six changes.
Usman Khawaja scored 59 during his first ODI in almost two years while Peter Handscomb, playing his first ODI in 15 months, topscored with 73 after Aaron Finch opted to bat.
Debutant Jason Behrendorff and fifthgamer Jhye Richardson, both called up in the absence of rested guns Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins, quickly reduced India to four for three wickets.
Behrendorff trapped Shikhar Dhawan lbw for a golden duck then Richardson, who finished with manofthematch figures of four for 26, removed Virat Kohli and Ambati Rayudu in the space of three balls to make the target look an imposing one.
Sharma countered with his 22nd ODI century, sharing a 137run stand with MS Dhoni as they threatened to drag the tourists to victory.
It was an epic fightback from Dhoni, whose 332 ODIs meant he boasted as much experience as Australia’s entire XI, and Sharma, arguably the best oneday batsman in the world.
Behrendorff, presented his cap by Glenn McGrath, ended the partnership by trapping Dhoni lbw for 51 and the visitors eventually finished at 254 for nine.
Balltracking replays con firmed the ball was pitching outside leg stump. However, Rayudu had already wasted India’s only review.
‘‘We’re not very pleased with the way we played,’’ Kohli said in the presentation.
Richardson blasted out Dinesh Karthik and Ravindra Jadeja but Sharma’s six sixes and continued presence at the crease gave India’s fans, well represented in the 37,556strong crowd, some hope.
A victory equation of 75 runs from the final five overs ultimately proved insurmountable as Shama went down swinging at Marcus Stoinis.
Earlier, Stoinis smacked an unbeaten 47 off 43 balls as Australia batted out its full 50 overs for just the third time in nine ODIs under Justin Langer. — AAP