Still without a win

India thrashed again by Australia, lose opening Twenty20 by 31 runs.

SYDNEY: India have still to win on their Australia tour after losing the first of two Twenty20 internationals by 31 runs at the Sydney Olympic stadium.

Australia rattled up 171 for four off their 20 overs after being sent into bat in front of a near-60,000 crowd before reducing India to 140 for six.

The tourists were hoping to bounce back to form in the shorter version after being thrashed 4-0 in their Test series against Michael Clarke’s Australians. But Matthew Wade, who replaced Brad Haddin in Australia’s limited-overs squads, justified his selection with a man-of-the-match performance, scoring 72 off 43 balls and displaying slick glovework behind the stumps.

Always good to be scoring: Wade

Opening the innings with David Warner, Wade smashed three sixes and five fours before the former was the first to go after scoring 25. Wade, however, continued with the rampage and was delighted after his performance.

“I got a little taste for it a few months back in South Africa,” said Wade. “I’m looking to use this opportunity batting at the top of the order with Warner. It’s always good to be scoring runs and I’m just looking to play my role in the team.”

Warner thrilled the crowd with an audacious six as he switched from his normal left-handed grip to right hand to send the ball flying over deep extra cover into the stands.

Warner hit two sixes and took 19 off Ravi Ashwin’s second over before he skied Vinay Kumar to Suresh Raina at extra cover. Wade raced to 70 before a rain delay affected his concentration and he was out two runs later after resumption. David Hussey cracked 42 off 30 balls to provide the innings a final impetus.

Sehwag fails again

India again started disastrously, losing Virender Sehwag on the third ball of Brett Lee’s opening over for four and he was followed by a steady procession of teammates back to the dressing room.

Only captain MS Dhoni showed any resistance with three sixes in an unbeaten 48 off 43 balls. The loss extended India’s woes to the shorter format as well but Dhoni tried remaining positive.

“There’s a tomorrow,” said Dhoni. “Wade batted well and we couldn’t capitalise.”

Bailey, leading the team on debut and in front of a record crowd, was ecstatic.

“I didn’t know you get a trophy after every game,” said Bailey. “Our fielding and bowling was outstanding. There’s a great feeling around Australian cricket at the moment.”

The second Twenty20 between the teams takes place in Melbourne tomorrow.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 2^nd, 2012.