INDIA BEAT AUSTRALIA – ODI

October 21st, 2010 by Ravi Matah | Posted in Sports   Comments Off on INDIA BEAT AUSTRALIA – ODI
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India proved their dominance in Cricket by defeating Australia by 5 wickets in the second ODI match played at the flood-lit Stadium at Vishakapatnam. Captain M.S.Dhoni won the toss and elected to field at the YSR Reddy Stadium on Wednesday. Australia  lost two quick wickets as both openers were consumed by Ashish Nehra. This victory follows their win over Australia in the recently concluded Test series. 

Virat Kohli

Michael Clarke and Michael Hussey later saved the innings with a fine 144 run stand and after 45 overs Australia were 205 for 3. Australia looted 84 runs in the final five overs and Cameron White slammed 70 runs in his last 24 deliveries. 

Some big hitting by Cameron White (89 from 49 balls) was at display including a straight drive which went through umpire Billy Bowden. It took Bowden a fraction of a second to duck out of the line of the shot otherwise Bowden would have been history had the shot hit him on the head. 

Skipper Clarke and Hussey did the repair work, building their innings brick by brick. In the end Cameron White’s big hitting helped Australia in reaching a fighting total of 289 runs. 

Both White and Clarke were in a rampaging mood. Nehra, who had an impressive first spell, had his figures destroyed towards the end as he returned with 57 runs from his 10 overs. 

The Australians unleashed terror and hit 114 runs in the last 10 overs, which also speaks highly of Clarke’s batting prowess who, as  stand-in skipper, returned to form with his fifth ODI century to help Australia post a challenging 289 for three. 

Actually it was the last five overs of Australiian innings that they surged forwards to build a fighting total, thanks to the superb stand between Hussey and Clarke. With this onslaught, Australia took the score to 291 in the stipulated 50 overs. 

For India,   Virat Kohli hit a superb century (118 off 121 balls) while Suresh Raina and Yuvraj Singh contributed with half-centuries as India successfully chased down a target of 290 to take a 1-0 lead in three match ODI series at the floodlit Dr Y S R Reddy Cricket Stadium. 

Chasing a stiff target of 290, India got off to a disastrous start by losing debutant Shikhar Dhawan for a duck when he was clean bowled by Australian pace bowler Clint McKay. 

Fellow opener Murali Vijay soon followed him back to the pavilion when he edged a McKay delivery to wicket-keeper Tim Paine. Vijay was looking solid but poor shot selection led to his downfall for 15 runs. 

Virat Kohli changed the entire complexion of the match with a flawless century as he shared two crucial partnerships with Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina to put Indian on course for a magnificent win. 

After missing the Test series against Australia, Yuvraj Singh answered his critics in stylish fashion by hitting classy 58 runs which included five boundaries. 

Suresh Raina again proved that he has got the metal by finishing the things of with brilliant knock of 71 for just 47 balls. He thrashed the bowlers all over the ground and hit nine boundaries and one huge six in his innings. 

India lost Kohli and skipper MS Dhoni in quick succession but Raina steadied the innings along with Saurabh Tiwary who helped India win the match by five wickets and take a  1-0 lead in three match series. First ODI at Kochi had been washed out without a ball being bowled. 

This was the 50th victory for M.S.Dhoni as captain and he is hopeful of winning this ODI series at home. 

In the presentation ceremony, Micheal Clarke and Hussey were presented a Motor Cycle for their highest partnership of the match while Virat Kohli was adjuged the Man of the Match. 

Ravi Matah.

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