Chawla spins India to victory

Ponting’s half-century goes in vain as Australia lose warm-up match.

BANGALORE: Piyush Chawla spun India to a remarkable 38-run win over defending champions Australia in a World Cup warm-up match yesterday.

The leg-spinner took four for 31 as Australia collapsed to 176 chasing a modest 215-run target, after being strongly placed at 118 for one in the day-night match.

Chawla, 22, also upstaged Australian paceman Brett Lee, who earlier gave a superb exhibition of fast bowling to rock India and finish with three for 35 off 10 impressive overs. Australia captain Ricky Ponting top-scored with a solid 57 off 85 balls with four boundaries.

The tourists’ chances, however, receded sharply after the dismissal of their captain, stumped while attempting to slog-sweep off-spinner Harbhajan Singh (three for 15), who brilliantly supported Chawla.

Heated argument

Ponting and India fast-bowler Shanthakumaran Sreesanth exchanged words after an appeal for caught behind was turned down in early stages of the Australian skipper’s knock. There was no hint of collapse following fine knocks from openers Shane Watson (33) and Tim Paine (37). Paine added 51 for the opening wicket with Watson and 67 for the next with his captain.

Chawla spins Australia to trouble

But Chawla started the slide with Michael Clarke’s dismissal for a duck as the tourists lost their last nine wickets for 58 runs.

Lee was in the limelight in the first session, dismissing Suresh Raina (12), Harbhajan and Chawla in his second spell, to prove he is in form for the World Cup, which starts February 19. Lee was backed by John Hastings (two for 24).

Hard-hitting 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.

India take on co-hosts Bangladesh in the opening match of the tournament in Dhaka on February 19, while Australia face Zimbabwe two days later.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 14^th, 2011.