Published: Mar 08, 2019, 10:07 PM (IST)
Edited: Mar 08, 2019, 10:07 PM (IST)
Skipper Aaron Finch shrugged off a string of poor scores to notch up a brilliant 93 in Australia’s 32-run win against India in the third ODI at Ranchi on Friday. Finch, who has not registered a half-century in his previous four appearances for Australia, was involved in a whopping 193-run partnership for the opening wicket with centurion Usman Khawaja (104) as the visitors posted 313/5 in their first innings. (India vs Australia, 3rd ODI: SCORECARD)
“It was a pretty good performance. To get 300 on that wicket was very good. It was nice and especially in these conditions,” Finch said at the post-match presentation ceremony. (ALSO READ: Don’t think Virat Kohli’s my bunny: Adam Zampa)
Following the departure of Finch to Kuldeep Yadav, Glenn Maxwell laid the finishing touches with a brisk 47 off 31 that included three hits over the fence and as many boundaries.
“That partnership allowed Maxi to come in and play his game. I have been working really hard and have always had the faith I would get runs. Usman played a fantastic knock, Jhye Richardson was also impressive with the ball,” the skipper explained. (ALSO READ: Virat Kohli surpasses Rahul Dravid to become India’s third-highest ODI run-getter)
Meanwhile, Khawaja, who scored his maiden ODI hundred, won the Man of the Match award. “Specially against a very good Indian side, it was nice to get that win. The bowlers bowled beautifully. We weren’t quite sure what a good score is, Finchy started well and the lower-order did a good job take us over 300. My highest score was 98, so it was nice to get those extra two runs today,” he said.
