Shane Watson’s sizzling century made Australia’s total surge to a massive 197 for 5 against India in the third and final Twenty20 International (T20I) at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Sunday. Australia made as many as five changes to the side, the first of which was right at the top of the order. In the absence of both David Warner and Aaron Finch, Watson promoted himself to open along with the in-form debutant Usman Khawaja. The left-hander, who has been in phenomenal form in the last couple of months, showed signs of a similar assault in this innings as well. He got to 14 off just 6 balls before edging Ashish Nehra to MS Dhoni. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: India vs Australia, 3rd T20I at Sydney
New man Shaun Marsh did not hang around for long, getting bowled by Ravichandran Ashwin for a scratchy 9 off 12 balls. Glenn Maxwell came in at No. 4 but hit the first ball Yuvraj Singh bowled to Suresh Raina at cover for a 5-ball 3. None of this affected Watson though, who was timing the ball wonderfully and hitting the everything sweetly. He received good support from Travis Head, and the duo added 93 runs in quick time. Head was bowled by Ravindra Jadeja for 26 off 19 balls, but for once the Indian spinners were on the expensive side. FULL CRICKET UPDATES: India vs Australia 2015-16, 3rd T20I at Sydney
Watson meanwhile got a life on 56 when he was dropped by Virat Kohli in the deep off a tough chance. Hardik Pandya floated one wide of off stump and Watson tried to go over cover. He did not hit it off the middle of the bat, and Kohli dove in front of him to take the catch but he could not hang on. Watson made full use of the chance and cashed in on the not-entirely wayward Indian bowling.
The Indian bowlers did not have as bad a day in the field as the bowling analysis would suggest. Jadeja and Ashwin, both of whom restricted Australia in the first two T20Is, went for 77 runs in their eight combined overs, though they took a wicket apiece. Ashish Nehra was probably the best bowler on the day for India, taking 1 for 32 in his four overs. Yuvraj took a hiding but also picked up the vital wicket of Maxwell. Pandya was expensive, but he ought to have had Watson out much earlier. Bumrah had his first bad match of the tour, going at over 10 runs an over, but taking a wicket as well.
Brief scores:
Australia 197 for 5 in 20 overs (Shane Watson 124*; Yuvraj Singh 1 for 19, Ashish Nehra 1 for 32) vs India.
(Shiamak Unwalla, a reporter with CricketCountry, is a self-confessed Sci-Fi geek who loves cricket more than cricketers. His Twitter handle is @ShiamakUnwalla)
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