Starc, Finch guide Aussies to four-wicket win

Sharma’s century goes in vain as India fall in ODI tri-series encounter.

MELBOURNE: Australia beat world champions India by four wickets in a thrilling tri-series ODI at the Melbourne Cricket Ground yesterday, overcoming a late mini-collapse to win with just six balls remaining.

India’s world record holder Rohit Sharma (138) smashed his sixth ODI century to contribute more than half of his team’s total but Mitchell Starc’s career-best 6-43 restricted the visitors to 267-8.

When the hosts replied, swashbuckling opener Aaron Finch proved he is not just a reckless slogger, compiling a composed 96 as Australia reached the target with one over to spare.

Finch hit five fours and two sixes in his 127-ball knock but missed out on his seventh ODI century as Australia chalked up their second win in the tri-series, which also involves England.

Australia’s chase got off
to a strong start with the openers putting on 51 runs before the dangerous David Warner (24) spooned a simple catch to Suresh Raina at extra cover.

Shane Watson (41) also began aggressively but looked desperate when boundaries stopped flowing and lost his off-stump to left-arm spinner Akshar Patel going for a slog-sweep.

Steve Smith (47), who punished India in the preceding four-test series, continued to trouble them, once again exposing the visitors’ bowling limitations with his century stand with Finch.

From 216-2, Australia lost four quick wickets to inject fresh excitement in the contest but eventually prevailed when James Faulkner hit the winning boundary off Bhuvneshwar Kumar. 

Published in The Express Tribune, January 19^th,  2015.

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