After blasting 288 for five, Australia ripped through the tourists’ top-order to leave them in disarray at 36 for four. India laboured on but were never in the hunt, being bundled out for 178 with captain MS Dhoni playing a lone hand, scoring 56 off 84 deliveries.
Man-of-the-match Ben Hilfenhaus was the pick of the Australia bowlers with five for 33, while veteran Brett Lee continued his resurgence with three for 49.
India collapse
Sachin Tendulkar, who is still searching for his elusive 100th international century, came out to open with Gautam Gambhir but his run of poor form continued when he tried an upper-cut off Hilfenhaus only to be caught by Xavier Doherty for three. Hilfenhaus was delighted with his match-winning show.
“The new white ball swings a lot and I like it for sure,” he said. “I couldn’t get Tendulkar through the Test series so I had to get him sometime.”
Meanwhile, Lee got rid of Gambhir and Rohit Sharma before Virat Kohli fell in controversial circumstances when he was caught by David Hussey off Hilfenhaus. Kohli refused to walk until the third umpire confirmed the ball had carried, despite replays indicating some doubt.
Dhoni, who suffered another setback when he was banned for tomorrow’s match against Sri Lanka after India were fined for a second slow over rate offence within a year, was disappointed at the batsmen’s dismal show.
“The breakthroughs put pressure on us,” said Dhoni. “The two new balls make it difficult so you have to respect that early on. It gets a bit easier to hit in the middle overs.”
Earlier, Australia recovered from a slow start as Michael Hussey, who top-scored with 59, combined with Peter Forrest (52) in a fifth-wicket partnership of 100. Irfan Pathan was the pick of the bowlers with three for 61.
Stand-in captain Ponting was a satisfied man after the win.
“Our score was just above par,” said Ponting. “India didn’t hit that many boundaries so we were fantastic. We’ve turned the momentum back our way.”
Published in The Express Tribune, February 20th, 2012.
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