Highlights of Australia Innings
Australia have left India with a challenging target of 270 to win the Fourth Match of the CB Series at the Adelaide Oval thanks to half centuries from debutant Peter Forrest and David Hussey.
It was a bright start for India when Vinay Kumar had Ricky Ponting caught at backward point after the right hander got a thick edge driving at a pitched up delivery in the 4th over. Ponting was promoted as the opener to bring down Matthew Wade in the middle order. But the move failed for this match as Ponting lasted only 14 balls for his 6.
India then were taken for few boundaries by David Warner and Michael Clarke but could break the dangerous 2nd wicket stand in the 10th over. It was a brilliant diving stop at covers from Rohit Sharma which resulted in a mix up between the striker David Warner and Michael Clarke. Warner (18) who was guilty of ball watching had to sacrifice his wicket when he and Clarke almost ended at the same end!
By the 18th over, India was right on top by having Australia at 81 for 3 in the 18th over when the Aussie Skipper made room for a slog across the line but only to drag Umesh Yadav’s slower one onto the stumps. Clarke scored 38 from 43 balls with 5 fours.
India failed to make further inroads as debutant Peter Forrest and David Hussey took control of things to put up a beautiful partnership of 88. Peter Forrest eventually fell in the 36th over when he top edged a pull shot off a Umesh Yadav bouncer to deep mid wicket taking Australia to 179 for 4. Forrest on debut was impressive especially against the spinners and his first knock at this level for Australia was worth 66 from 83 balls with 5 fours and 2 sixes.
Australia then charged forward towards the slog overs with another good partnership, this time between David Hussey and Daniel Christian of 56 runs. David Hussey (72 from 76 balls with 5 fours) departed in the 45th over when his full blooded flick off Zaheer Khan was caught by the diving Sehwag at backward squareleg. Daniel Christian contributed 39 from 36 balls before he got run out trying to steal a second run from Jadeja at long on in the 48th over. In the end, it wasn’t a bad job at all from the Indian bowlers in restricting the Aussies to 269 for 8 on what was a batting pitch at the Adelaide Oval.
Toss and Teams: Australia have won the toss and elected to bat first in the Fourth Match of the Commonwealth Bank Seres against India at the Adelaide Oval. The conditions are pleasant at Adelaide with a temperature of 23° C compared to the blistering 41° C at Perth.
The hosts have rested Michael Hussey ahead of this game to give ODI Debut to Peter Forrest. India have made two changes with Sachin Tendulkar rested to be rotated with Gautam Gambhir while Praveen Kumar makes way for Umesh Yadav.
Pitch Report of the Adelaide Oval: The pitch at the Adelaide Oval is expected to be a batsman paradise. It means that there could hardly be any seam movement on offer. Swing should be there in the air and the spinners may not get much off the surface if the sun doesn’t beat the pitch very hard this afternoon.
Playing XIs:
Australia: David Warner, Matthew Wade (Wicket Keeper), Ricky Ponting, Peter Forrest, Michael Clarke (Captain), David Hussey, Daniel Christian, Ryan Harris, Mitchell Starc, Clint McKay and Xavier Doherty
India: Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma, MS Dhoni (Captain & Wicket Keeper), Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, R Vinay Kumar, Zaheer Khan and Umesh Yadav