Smith ton up again, Kohli misses out as Oz take ODI series
ANOTHER pulsating Steve Smith century and two flying outfield catches clinched the one-day international series for Australia with a 51-run victory over India in Sydney on Sunday.
Smith tormented India with his second blistering hundred in as many matches as Australia posted another huge target, reaching 389-4 off 50 overs.
The Australians then restricted India to 338-9 from their 50 overs with Virat Kohli falling on 89 to a magnificent Moises Henriques catch when the master batsman was closing in on a century.
Smith followed up his 105 off 66 balls in Friday’s first ODI victory with an equally dominant 104 off 64 balls as the Indians couldn’t stem the runs on a slow-paced Sydney Cricket Ground pitch in searing conditions.
The total surpassed Australia’s 374 for six which set up
Friday’s 66-run crushing win in the first ODI on the same ground and was the third-highest total scored against India.
“I felt good from ball one. Got myself in and went hard,” Smith said. “It was another great foundation set by Finchy and Davey (Warner).”
It was India’s 5th consecutive ODI defeat for the first time since anuary 2016 with the tourists now bidding to prevent a series whitewash in Wednesday’s game in Canberra.
“They have outplayed us. We were ineffective with the ball, and didn’t hit the areas,” Kohli said. “They have a strong batting line-up, they know the conditions and the angles well.
“The chase felt steep. They took the chances that they created in the field, which was the difference.”
Australia’s win may have come at a cost, however, with David Warner injuring his groin in a fielding tumble and likely to be out of next ODI and possibly the following T20 series.