Aussies grab much-needed win

Australia’s reserve pacemen and recalled batsmen stood up to shock India by 34 runs at the SCG on Saturday, when Rohit Sharma scored 133 but couldn’t overhaul the hosts’ 288-5 in the ODI series opener.

Usman Khawaja scored 59 during his first ODI in almost two years while Peter Handscomb, playing his first ODI in 15 months, top-scored 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 4-3.

Sharma countered with his 22nd ODI century, sharing a 137-run stand with MS Dhoni as they threatened to drag India to victory.

However, a victory equation of 75 runs from the final five overs ultimately proved insurmountable as Shama went down swinging at Marcus Stoinis.