Spinners shine in India’s 38-run victory over Australia
Bangalore, February 13, 2011
By CricketCountry Staff
After making a strong start in their chase of a modest total of 214, Australia stumbled and fell 38 runs short as they lost their first warm-up match against India held at Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore.
Openers Tim Paine and Shane Watson started on positive note scoring quickly, as first 50 runs came off in 7.2 overs after Austrlian bowlers restricted India to 214 in first innings. After Shane Watson felt to S Sreesanth at individual score of 33, skipper Ricky Ponting and Paine carried the momentum.
When Paine (37) got out in the 21st over, the Australian middle order failed as Michael Clarke, David Hussey, Callum Ferguson and Cameron White got out cheaply.
Spinner Piyush Chawla took 4 for 31 runs in nine overs, whereas Harbhajan Singh was tight in his five-over spell taking 3 for 15.
Ponting was the highest scrorer for Australia with 57 and looked comfortable despite suffering from an injury. Paine scored impressive 37 before getting out on a delivery by Yuvraj Singh.
India will now play their second and last warm-up match against New Zealand in Chennai on Wednesday, February 16 before flying to Dhaka for the World Cup opening match against Bangladesh on February 19.
In first innings, Brett Lee finished with 3 for 35 off 10 impressive overs as India were dismissed in the 45th over after electing to bat in a day-night match.
The paceman had Suresh Raina (12) caught behind for his first victim and then bowled Harbhajan Singh and Piyush Chawla to prove he is bang in form for the World Cup, which starts February 19.
Lee was backed by John Hastings (2 for 24). Australia’s only concern was 25 runs they conceded in wides, with off-song paceman Mitchell Johnson giving away 10.
Opener Virender Sehwag gave a good account of himself in India’s below-par batting performance, top-scoring with a 56-ball 54 with one six and eight fours.
He fell soon after reaching his half-century with a six over long-off, inside-edging off-spinner Jason Krejza’s delivery on to his stumps.
India, who rested batting superstar Sachin Tendulkar, struggled against pace. Yusuf Pathan (32), Ravichandran Ashwin (25 not out) and Virat Kohli (21) were the only other batsmen to cross the 20-mark. Pathan smashed two sixes off spinner David Hussey before falling in the same over, caught by Krejza in the deep.
Kohli looked like steadying the innings after opener Gautam Gambhir’s early dismissal but was caught at point by Hussey while attempting to drive Hastings. He added 42 for the second wicket with Sehwag. Since the practice match does not have an official status, each team can use 15 players, but only 11 will bat and field.
Defending World Cup champions Australia are in Group A with Pakistan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Canada and Kenya.
Group B comprises India, South Africa, England, the West Indies, Bangladesh, Ireland and the Netherlands. Four teams from each group will advance to the World Cup quarter-finals.
Brief Score: India 214 all out in 44.3 overs (Virender Sehwag 54, Yusuf Pathan 32, Brett Lee 3 for 35, John Hastings 2 for 24) beat Australia 176 all out in 37.5 overs (Ricky Ponting 57, Tim Paine 37, Piyush Chawla 4 for 31, Harbhajan Singh 3 for 15)
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