CHENNAI, INDIA - MARCH 22: Steven Smith of Australia celebrates after takes a catch to dismiss Hardik Pandya of India during game three of the One Day International series between India and Australia at MA Chidambaram Stadium, on March 22, 2023 in Chennai, India. (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images) Photograph: Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images
That’s it from me. Pretty comfortable in the end from Australia but it was anything but during two partnerships from the Indians. The Aussies are now the top ranked ODI side in the world. Handy that there’s a 50-over World Cup on the horizon. And it’s in India, a place where they’ve just ended the host’s seven series unbeaten run stretching back to 2019. It’s all looking good for the Australians.
Thanks for sticking with me. Report from Chennai below:
Updated
Finally, it’s the skipper, Steve Smith:
It’s been an enjoyable tour. The way we fought back after the [2nd] Test match has been great.
I think it’s just about playing conditions for us. About summing up conditions and playing accordingly. I thought we left a few runs out there. But our bowlers bowled beautifully.
The turning, I’m not sure. I think it was just a big grind in the field and taking wickets throughout. The way the tail stuck around and took us to 270.
The player of the series is Mitch Marsh with 194 runs across the three games:
It’s just natural aggression when I’m batting. It’s been a lot of fun.
I’ve thoughoughly enjoyed [opening the batting]. We want to have a squad mentality [leading up to the World Cup].
I’ve just been really clear. I’m coming off an extended break. Sometimes in international cricket you don’t get that break. It’s been great and hopefully I can get up to Delhi with my boys and have fun up there.
Now the player of the match and yup, it’s Zampa:
I’ve had some success here. It’s a really tough place to come, it’s always a huge challenge. I feel like I’m under the pump throughout here.
I don’t believe that I deserve this. Kudos to the guys before me [especially Agar].
We all have a lot of trust in each other and our game plan. We knew we weren’t quite at our best after the first game.
First it’s the losing captain, Rohit Sharma:
I don’t think there were too many runs. The wicket was challenging in the second half but we didn’t bat well. Every time we had a partnership we lost a wicket.
The mode of dismissal [was disappointing]. The wicket was challenging but you’ve got to give yourself a chance. It was important for one batter to take the game deep. But having said that, these things happen. We were all trying our best but it just didn’t happen.
We can take a lot of positives. A loss like this hurts. But we can take a lot of learnings from this. You have to give credit to the Australians.
Presentations to come. Who’s your player of the match? Zampa the obvious pick.
Here’s Ashton Agar, who bowled brilliantly:
It was lovely to finish the series on a high like that. It was a really nice way to start. There was plenty in the pitch for me. I just put the ball in a good spot and the ball did the rest.
Mitch came up and said 250 would be a good score. Shubman and Rohit started well but as we saw it got harder and harder.
Always good bowling with Zamps. We’re great mates.
This ends a run of seven consecutive ODI series wins on home soil for India, stretching back to 2019. Back then it was Australia that claimed that rubber 3-2.
Australia win by 21 runs and go top of ICC rankings
India all-out for 248: Kuldeep is run out on the first ball of the final over of this series. A mix-up and India’s No 10 is well short at the striker’s end. Australia take the series 2-1 thanks to stingy bowling and excellent fielding.
49th over: India 248-9 (Kuldeep 6, Siraj 3) Three from Abbott over as he closes with 1-50. He started on the expensive side but did really well in his latter spells. Solid work.
48th over: India 246-9 (Kuldeep 5, Siraj 1) That was fun. A six and a four and a wicket. Bottle that over and sell it to the unconverted.
WICKET! Shami b Stoinis 14 (India 243-9)
Shami goes down fighting. The previous two balls were worth 10 after he heaved a pull over deep squaure for six and then carved a cut shot for four over the fielder at short third. But Stoinis has his man when he finds a very full length and clatters the off stump. One more to go.
47th over: India 231-8 (Kuldeep 3, Shami 3) Three runs from this Starc over. He looms desperate for a wicket but hasn’t been able to bowl that killer yorker. He does find an outside edge but it squirts down to deep third where Stoinis does well to stop it before it reaches the boundary. Starc is done. He ends wicketless for 67 runs.
46th over: India 228-8 (Kuldeep 2, Shami 1) Zampa closes his 10 overs with 4-45. That’s his beat return against India in ODIs. India’s tail need an unlikely 42 from 23.
WICKET! Jadeja c Stoinis b Zampa 18 (India 225-8)
A difficult to watch innings comes to an ugly end. It’s another wild swipe from Jadeja and he can only watch as the edge spoons to Stoinis at point to hand Zampa his fourth wicket. Australia two away from a series win.
45th over: India 225-7 (Jadeja 18, Kuldeep 1) Starc is going in for the kill, targeting the yorker in search of shattered stumps. He doesn’t find his range to Kuldeep as the full toss crashes into the pad and trickles down to deep third for a single leg-bye. Starc’s slower ball bamboozles Jadeja who’s made to look ordinary with a wild hoick. The bowler then morphs into his own worst enemy as a wide down leg is followed by another, the second worth three runs as Carey can only parry it towards fine leg. Two dots sees out an eventual over. 45 now needed from 30 balls. Australia’s to lose I reckon.
44th over: India 219-7 (Jadeja 17, Kuldeep 1) Excellent from Zampa. He’s snared big wickets at crucial times and his third is perhaps the game changer (well, one game changer in this ever changing game). Three runs from the over means India now need 51 from 36 without any of their top seven remaining.
Could be another first-baller. Kuldeep has unfurled a reverse sweep to his first ball and missed it. The Aussies review for lbw. Bat I think, yup, clearly an under edge.
WICKET! Hardik Pandya c Smith b Zampa 40 (India 218-7)
Is that the game? Tossed up with a scrambled seam, Pandya was looking to heave this over midwicket. He loses his shape as his body contorts into an ugly slog. The ball catches the leading edge and it loops towards the covers where Smith catches on the run.
“Hardik did all the bowling but Pandya is doing the batting. It’s confusing me at least!”
Thanks for the message, Linda Gray, and sorry for the confusion.
That’s the risk when two different OBOers are at the wheel. For the sake of consistency I’ll stick to Pandya, but if anyone else was confused please be aware that this is Hardik Pandya.
Then again, he’s a brilliant all-rounder. Are we sure he’s not actually two different people?
43rd over: India 216-6 (Pandya 39, Jadeja 16) Sharp fielding down at deep third cuts off Jadeja’s late dab just ahead of the rope. That takes off two from the target and it’s down another one when Abbott pushes a wide down the leg side. Abbott is round the wicket looking to cramp the left hander and he’s doing just that. There are no runs to be found in a packed cover region. Jadeja charges but misses. Three of the over. Pandya needs to hog the strike for a bit as his partner is struggling. Jadeja has scored 16 from 28 balls. 54 needed off 42.
42nd over: India 212-6 (Pandya 39, Jadeja 13) This is the deep breath before the plunge. Something has to give soon. Stoinis is stciking to the plan and gives up just three runs as he’s banging it short into the pitch. Not too short, mind. Just short enough to keep the batters on the back foot and force them to wait for it as it sticks into the pitch. 57 needed from 48. When do they look to take on the bowler?
There is a break in play because of birds, big birds, kites I think, flying about, catching moths.
41st over: India 209-6 (Pandya 38, Jadeja 12) There’s a half chance at midwicket as Jadeja chips Abbott over a diving Smith. Just out of reach. The skipper does well to cut off another one that comes his way. Jadeja has to play it there as Abbott is tight into him from round the wicket. Two leg-byes and a single for Pandya is all India can muster throughout the over. Just five off it and they now need 61 from 54 balls. That’s easy pickings for modern batters but a wicket would change the complexion of this chase.
India pass 200 as required run rate climbs
40th over: India 204-6 (Pandya 36, Jadeja 8) Stoinis is back. The plan is clear: hit the pitch hard and don’t offer width. Pandya tries to muscle a ball down the ground but it’s well fielded. He looks frustrated with himself but he’s given a freebie on the next ball with Stoinis delivering a bit if dross down the leg side. Hardik pivots and takes four to the fine leg and then a single. Jadeja, though, is feeling the pressure and takes an ugly swipe at a full ball, missing it entirely.
39th over: India 199-6 (Pandya 31, Jadeja 8) Abbott is back, hitting a hard length that’s cramping Pandya, forcing him to play straight. Four dot balls to start before he strays onto Pandya’s pads. It’s OK though, as it’s just a single down to fine leg. Jadeja can’t work a run so that’s a good set from Abbott.
38th over: India 198-6 (Pandya 30, Jadeja 8) Spin replaces spin as Adam Zampa returns. He delivers a tidy over that costs just two runs. He’s got two more overs left. Starc also has two. Stoinis and Abbott each have four in the bank.
Colum Fordham has been in touch again. Glad you’re enjoying it mate.
“Just when you thought India were cruising, they’re in the mire. It does look like they are doing their level best to ape England’s almost unsurpassed talent for sudden collapses.
It has to be said that Agar is getting his just deserts after going wicketless until now. He has baffled the [Indian] batters with his turn and bounce.”
He’s been brilliant. Turn and bounce as you say, but control too. On another day he’d have left here with seven scalps.
37th over: India 196-6 (Pandya 29, Jadeja 7) With the lower order peeping over the horizon Smith throws the ball to his premier fast bowler. But Jadeja is no bunny and plays an expert late cut that sends the ball screaming to the boundary. Starc then follows that up with two wides. He’s looking for the reverse swinging yorker but can’t find his radar, shoving them both down the leg side. There’s another wide down the leg side. That’s three of them to go along with three singles and that boundary. 10 off the over.
36th over: India 186-6 (Pandya 28, Jadeja 1) In the blink of an eye Australia are in control of this series decider. And it’s that man Agar who finishes with 2-41 after 10 overs. He was superb and rightly bagged the wicket of Kohli who played a poor stroke by his standards. Surya then got bowled to leave the field with a third consecutive golden duck. I wonder if that’s a record? Anyway, just a single from that over means India now need a run a ball with six batters back in the hut.
He doesn’t get it. Jadeja is in behind it and dabs it with soft hands to the covers.
Ashton Agar on a hat-trick!
WICKET! Suryakumar b Agar 0 (India 185-6)
I don’t believe it. That is the third golden duck in a row for one of the best white ball batters of the last four years. It skidded low but he should have been moving forward. Instead he’s going back and it sneaks under his cross-bat slash and thwacks the off stump.
WICKET! Kohli c Warner b Agar 54 (India 185-5)
In his final over Agar gets Kohli and he deserves that! He’s been magnificent and could have nicked off the Indian superstar on three occasions before this. It’s not an outside edge that does but instead it’s a poor shot from Kohli who rushes out of his crease but doesn’t get to the pitch of the ball. He reaches for it and spoons a tame catch down to Warner who far inside the rope. What a game changer! Australia very much in this.
35th over: India 185-4 (Kohli 54, Pandya 28) What power from Pandya who drives on the up and biffs it past a diving extra cover for four. He’s come in and changed the tempo of this run chase. Abbott sticks with that back of a length, which is the right thing to do, and also adheres to a straight line for the most part. Four singles close out the over.
34th over: India 177-4 (Kohli 52, Pandya 22) David Warner down at long off is in business twice. A pair of chipped drives from both batters only just lands short in the deep. Pandya’s was closest though both reached Warner after just one bounce. Earlier in the over Agar’s extra bounce almost catches the edge of Pandya’s sweep. Five singles from this one.
33rd over: India 172-4 (Kohli 50, Pandya 19) A bustling over with five runs going to Pandya with some swift work between the wickets between the two batters. Two to deep point, another two to deep square and then a single, thanks to some sharp fielding from Agar, to deep midwicket, means Abbott keeps a lid on this counterattack from Pandya.
32nd over: India 167-4 (Kohli 50, Pandya 14) Pandya gets low to firmly sweep Agar past fine leg. He sweeps again and picks up two in front of square and then gets a single to deep point. Loved that from the Indian all-rounder. He’s such a handy operator. Kohli can’t get off strike and plays Agar with respect for three balls.
31st over: India 160-4 (Kohli 50, Pandya 7) A half century for Kohli. He really is the king of run chases. He reaches the milestone with a nudge off his hips. Abbot tries to dig one in short to Pandya but it doesn’t climb high enough and the aggressive batter clatters it for a big six over cow corner on the pull. He got a whole lot of that and is off the mark with a maximum. He’ll keep the strike with as he taps a single to deep point.
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30th over: India 152-4 (Kohli 49, Pandya 0) That is a truly outstanding over from Agar. The commentators on BT are wondering why he never played in the Test series and it’s a fair question. Drift, turn, bounce, he’s got the better of Kohli twice there. The second time is almost unplayable and Kohli survives only because of the extra bounce as it goes over his off stump. A single closes out the over.
29th over: India 151-4 (Kohli 48, Pandya 0) What a turnaround. Run-outs are a key ingredient to any collapse and two wickets in as many overs is a sure sign that this Indian innings is collapsing. Starc is looking to bowl full. Too full, though that’s irrelevant when the batters throw their wickets away with needless run-outs.
WICKET! Patel run-out (Smith/Carey) 2 (India 154-4)
Yes, no, wait, OH NO! A calamitous mix up has cost India another wicket in quick succession. It was a full toss from Starc and the left handed Patel nudged it firmly enough past a diving Smith. Except, it wasn’t past the fielder who did brilliantly to haul it back and then fling the ball towards the ‘keeper’s end. Kohli had sent his partner back and watched on as Carey gathered and then broke the stumps.
28th over: India 147-3 (Kohli 45, Axar 1) Zampa’s return to the attack was always going to lead to something interesting. Either it would force India back into the shell they’d just left or it would lead to a wicket. Kohli collected four past short third and then bunted a single to bring Rahul on strike. He didn’t wait around and tried to clatter the first ball he’d face for six. The bat turned in his hand and so caught the ball with the toe-end. Abbott leaps to catch and Zampa, as he’s done already in this innings, opens the game up once more.
WICKET! Rahul c Abbott b Zampa 32 (India 146-3)
Rahul falls by the sword. After shaking off the shackles he seemed determined to keep accelerating through the gears. He looks to take on Zampa’s googly but doesn’t catch it clean – toe- ending I think – and sends it high to Abbott down at deep midwicket. It takes some catching and the Aussie seamer does well to cling on above his head.
Just as India have switched gears, allow me to share this lovely bit of writing from Annesha Ghosh who makes her Spin debut. Here tells us how the WIPL impacted women’s cricket.
27th over: India 141-2 (Kohli 40, Rahul 32) That boundary the previous over has recalibrated Rahul’s thinking. He’s switched to beast mode as he tonks Starc back over his head for a mighty maximum. That was some shot! A dot ball follows before he picks up a decent delivery and deposits it to the extra cover fence after a couple of bounces. Perhaps he’s decided to up the ante a bit while Kohli builds at the other end.
26th over: India 130-2 (Kohli 39, Rahul 22) A boundary at long last, ending an eight over drought. Zampa over pitches and Rahul can free his arms and hit through the line, crunching it straight past the bowler. Three singles earlier on means the over is worth more than the number of balls delivered. Could that release the building pressure?
25th over: India 123-2 (Kohli 37, Rahul 17) Starc is back and he’s bowling without any visible sign of pain, so guessing his finger is golden. He’s full, looking for swing, before going back of a length and bowling into the pitch. It’s a good return, just two from that one with a pair of singles at the top of the over.
“Nicely poised decider.” says Colum Fordham.
“Can this vastly experienced India pair of Virat and Rahul nudge their way to victory by avoiding expansive shots on this tricky pitch or can Smith vary things and introduce his nuclear option - Starc - to dislodge them? In the meantime, Agar is posing real problems for both batters.”
It’s gripping (and I don’t just mean the pitch). Hard to call this. We’re just about half way and I think I’d still rather be in the Indian camp, but credit to the Aussies. They looked down and out when the openers were smashing them about.
24th over: India 121-2 (Kohli 36, Rahul 16) Agar might not have bagged the big fish but that is just delicious bowling. Drift, turn and bounce, that is the full package from the left arm finger spinner. A drag down earlier in the piece isn’t punished and was worth just one run off Kohli’s bat. By my count that’s 34 balls since the last boundary.
Not out… Kohli’s toe is just behind the line.
That’s a jaffa from Agar and I reckon he’s nabbed Kohli with a stumping…
23rd over: India 117-2 (Kohli 33, Rahul 15)
Stoinis has two men out in the deep on the leg side. One behind square, though not in a conventional fine leg position, and the other just in front of square. That could be a sign that he’ll dig one in and invite the pull. He holds it back of a length, hitting the pitch hard. Three singles comes before a shorter ball that doesn’t climb but does crunch Rahul on the hip. Australia have been impressive in this middle over period. Ticking a lot of boxes. But as long as Kohli is there, India will back themselves. Rahul might need to get a move on though. He’s 15 off 35 balls and struggling to get it off the square.
22nd over: India 114-2 (Kohlie 31, Rahul 14) Agar has his slip back and Smith catches the ball diving to his right. But it’s off Kohli’s pad. Big turn their for the spinner who has bowled brilliantly this evening. Kohli almost takes out Rahul with a swat down the ground though that single is the only run off another tidy Agar over.
21st over: India 113-2 (Kohli 30, Rahul 14) Stoinis unfurls the first bumper of the innings. He must have really bent his back to get that up. It’s a smart ploy as you don’t want the batter settling on a length. Two runs is all he concedes. The partnership is now worth 36 but it’s not getting away from Australia. Then again, India don’t have to get a move on themselves. I’ve got India ahead on points. Another wicket could change that.
20th over: India 111-2 (Kohli 29, Rahul 13) Terrific ball from Agar who has that in his locker. Drift in to Rahul, bounce and turn away, it’s beaten everything. The trick is to bowl that again. He doesn’t it’s too full so Rahul can work him down the ground for a single. He’s then too short and Kohli can nudge him with twisting wrists to deep square. Still, it’s only four runs off the over. The current run rate is below 6 and edging closer to the required rate of 5.3. Not that it matters much at this stage.
19th over: India 107-2 (Kohli 27, Rahul 11) That’s a smart bowling change from Smith. Just as the Indian batters seemed to have the measure of the spinners the Aussie captain has reintroduced seam. It comes in the form of Stoinis who has found a bit of swing through the air. One tails in to Kohli’s pads and the burly bowler sends down some some choice words. It’s a good over from Stoinis which costs just three. Thoughts turn to Starc and his finger. If the ball is shaping through the air then he’ll be crucial.
100 up for India as Kohli gets to work
18th over: India 104 (Kohli 25, Rahul 10) Outstanding batting from Kohli. Agar drops one short and the prince of Indian cricket clatters it for four up and over midwicket. But that’s just the appetiser. The main course comes in the form of a delicious lofted inside- out drive that drifts effortlessly over the rope at long-off. He’s not going to let the spinners settle. A single follows and then a couple for Rahul. India win this round which brings up the 100.
17th over: India 91-2 (Kohli 14, Rahul 8) Zampa has discarded his slip. Maybe Smith feels that the building of pressure could result in a false stroke. His leggie is looking to give it a rip while bowling into the surface. But Kohli is nonplussed. He averages 89 in successful chases. He’s the key (obviously). Though this over costs just two runs with a single apiece for either batter.
16th over: India 89-2 (Kohli 13, Rahul 7) The mid-innings lull has descended on this ODI. The run-rate is not an issue for India so they’re content to knock around the singles. Australia don’t have to chase wickets just yet so they’re happy to stay patient. Agar is twirling away on a fullish length and conceding four runs. It’s a game of chicken now.
15th over: India 85-2 (Kohli 11, Rahul 5) Another good over for Australia with just four runs coming from this one. After going for 10 in his over, Zampa has conceded 13 runs from his next three while picking up a wicket. India are looking to get a move on and restore their dominance, especially Kohli who is using his feet and crunches a flashing drive wide of long-on but it’s well fielded so worth just a single. That’ll be drinks.
14th over: India 81-2 (Kohli 9, Rahul 3) What a start for Ashton Agar. His first ball on this tour is ab absolute gem! Slow left arm, it drifts towards Rahul’s leg stump, bringing him forward. It then turns and bounces and catches the shoulder of the outside edge. It bounces off Carey’s knee behind the stumps and balloons over a diving Smith at slip. Where did that come from? The rest of the over is good as well and it’s only off the last ball that Rahul manages a single. Australia have done a brilliant job getting back in the game.
13th over: India 80-2 (Kohli 9, Rahul 2) Success for Zampa who has bowled well since his second ball was thwacked for six by Sharma. He’s removed the dangerous Gill and only conceded four runs in this over. He’s getting the odd one to turn and bowling a good line without width. Great work.
WICKET! Gill lbw Zampa 37 (India 77-2)
The tension builds and eventually breaks after a lengthy review. But it’s three lights so Gill, after a brilliant innings, must go. Zampa is very full around middle and leg and hits the inside half of the batter’s boot. The ball also makes contact with the bat so they have to check which came first. Boot or bat? It’s boot and that would have gone on to hit leg stump. From chasing the game, Australia have both openers back in the shed. What a turnaround.
Another review, this time for lbw as Zampa’s ball hits Gill on the boot. Could be close this one…
12th over: India 77-1 (Gill 37, Kohli 8) Tidy from Abbott. Nothing special. Just hitting a good length, around the fourth stump, taking the pace off occasionally with a cutter, not offering width, bowling into the pitch. The Indians exchange four singles, including a scampered one that took on David Warner at mid-off. The call was early so even a direct hit wouldn’t have dismissed Gill at the non-striker’s end.
11th over: India 73-1 (Gill 35, Kohli 6) That’s a genuine edge from Kohli’s bat as Zampa beats him in the air and off the pitch. Quality leg spin. It costs three runs though as it skims across the surface down to deep third. Travis Head does brilliantly chasing it down and hauling it back just centimetres from the rope. Three more runs, two for Kohli and a single to Gill, keeps India on track. Some encouraging signs for Zampa.
10th over: India 67-1 (Gill 34, Kohli 1) Success for Abbott who, in truth, burgled that wicket. I know that Sharma has been dismissed there before, but this was a freebie. Still, they all count, and Australia needed it. Kohli is off the mark but also flirts with a leg cutter that leaves him. Two runs and wicket. That’s a big swing for the tourists.
A ridiculous referral. You park drive the proverbial truck between bat and ball there. No idea what the Aussies saw/heard.
Now then, there’s a review for caught behind. And it’s Kohli!
Dean Kinsella, how many seconds passed between you hitting the ‘send’ button and Starc taking that catch?
“Hi Daniel. This is all looking pretty effortless for this fabulous pair of 50 over openers. India are surely very strong contenders for the world cup this winter.”
BTW, Starc is off the field. He hurt his finger taking that catch. Not a great sign with an IPL and World Cup looming. Let’s hope it’s not serious.
WICKET! Sharma c Starc b Abbott 30 (India 65-1)
He’s timed this well, maybe too well as he swivels a pull shot straight to Mitch Starc on the deep backward square leg fence. He catches it low down suggesting it dipped on him but all eyes on the batter who could have hit this anywhere having got in such a great position. Australia bag the breakthrough against the run of play.
9th over: India 64-0 (Sharma 30, Gill 33) Adam Zampa’s leg spin is on the scene earlier than Steve Smith would have wanted. But he has to try and force the Indians into a mistake. Maybe a change of pace will do it? Nope, Zampa’s second ball is sent sailing over a wide mid-on as Sharma leans forward and with a flick of his wrists he registers his second six. Three singles in the over has the scoreboard ticking along, but there is one peach of a ball that grips and turns from a good length and beats Sharma’s outside edge. Still, 10 off the over.
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8th over: India 55-0 (Sharma 22, Gill 31) We’ve seen some grace and power, now we’ve got our first cheeky stroke. Sean Abbott is into the attack but it’s more of the same, just nothing seam up bowling on a flat track with no movement through the air or off the deck and Sharma can get inside the line and flick it towards a vacant fine leg fence. Abbott drops his final ball short and Sharma unleashes a pull in front of square. That was more muscled than timed. Three singles earlier on means this over costs 11 runs. India motoring at almost seven an over when they need around 5.
7th over: India 44-0 (Sharma 13, Gill 29) Looking to replicate his fireworks from the previous over, Gill goes for a booming drive on the up and almost nicks off. That’s the length to bowl. Starc says, ‘Na’, and instead follows that up with a rank half volley that is given the treatment it deserves as Gill pushes it with ease to the cover fence. A single gets Sharma on strike and he joins the fun by ending the over with a six down the ground. He’s hardly hit that. Barely a follow-through, holds the shape, all timing. Lovely.
6th over: India 31-0 (Sharma 7, Gill 22) Sharma bunts one off his pads past midwicket for three. Still no swing for the Aussies which will concern them. The Indians can play the line with confidence. Gill will keep the strike with a single down the ground. The Australian seamers need a Plan B. Some cutters or slower balls, anything to mix it up. All looking too comfortable for the Indians.
5th over: India 27-0 (Sharma 3, Gill 21) Gill is on fire. Starc strays just fractionally short and the Indian opener short arm jabs him wide of mid-on. Starc then corrects his length but Gill is on it in a flash, check-driving off the front foot through the covers. That was textbook. He’s not perfect, as he pokes at a ball that leaves him and he’s lucky not to nick off, but that was otherwise a brutal statement. India in full control early doors.
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4th over: India 18-0 (Sharma 3, Gill 13) Stoinis gets one to jag back from a challenging length and it cuts Gill in half. Lovely cutter, that. It’s a tidy over that’s cost just one run until he ends it with a loose wide delivery that Gill swats backward of square on the off side for four.
3rd over: India 13-0 (Sharma 2, Gill 9) My goodness that is some cricket shot! Starc pitches it up looking for the swing back into the right handed Gill. It moves a little bit but straight to the middle of the bat as Gill leans forward and flicks it over the rope at deep extra cover. Brilliant balance there as he stayed within the shape of the stroke throughout. Pure timing. Just a quality pick up, even Steve Smith at slip admired that.
2nd over: India 7-0 (Sharma 2, Gill 3) It’s the beefy Marcus Stoinis with the new ball. He starts by over-stepping as he drops it short to Sharma who swivels a pull for a single. Stoinis is targeting a fourth/fifth stump line to Gill with a fielder sweeping in the deep on the offside. Gill takes a single down there before Sharma blocks out the rest of the over. Just three from that set.
1st over: India 4-0 (Sharma 1, Gill 2) The first ball of the innings is deftly dabbed to deep third for a single by Rohit Sharma. Shubman Gill’s first act is to watch a wide drift down the leg side before clipping a couple off the front foot through midwicket. No sign of swing from Starc.
The Indian openers, by the way Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill.
Right then, enough of that nonsense. The Indian batters are taking guard. Starc has the new ball in his gigantic hands. Will it swing? That’ll be key.
According to the stats magicians on Cricinfo, this is the fourth highest ODI score without a fifty. What does that teach us about the surface?
Perhaps it’s a sign that it’s hard to get in and score big. That there’s always a wicket taking ball with your name on it.
Maybe it means that batters are able to get settled. That scoring runs early isn’t a great challenge.
Maybe it means nothing. Maybe cricket is just a weird sport that defies logic and reason.
Top work Angus! Hi everyone. Seems we’ve got an actual game on here with a proper run chase in store. The Indians said they were happy with this target but also admitted that the pitch was pretty slow, so 270 is certainly no gimme.
Look, it’s not exactly a 50 over series with much context. As Geoff Lemon wrote, it feels rather shoehorned into an already cramped calendar. Still, these are two competitive outfits and they’ll be desperate to win this thing.
My name is Daniel, I’ll be with you to the close. Drop a line if you’ve got anything to say.
AUSTRALIA all out for 269. India need 270 for victory.
That was a strange innings of fits and starts, frittered opportunities and fighting partnerships. Ultimately, Australia will be pretty happy with a total of 269 and India will be equally happy they restricted Australia as they did, particularly given Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head’s flying start.
The home side mixed up their seam and spin beautifully with Kuldeep and Hardik each claiming three wickets and good fielding saving a fistful of boundaries. It was a good team effort from Australia with most of the side contributing handy runs without anyone piling up a big score.
India bat deep and have a home crowd of 40,000+ behind them so Australia will have a tough task to keep them in check. But if Mitchell Starc finds a smidge of the reverse swing Hardik, Shami and Siraj occasionally did, the pickets may fly, the wickets will fall and the real battle will begin!
For that nifty 50 overs I’ll throw the new cherry to my OBO partner Daniel Gallan. Thanks for your company over the course of this first dig and enjoy the chase!
WICKET! Mitchell Starc c. Jadeja b. Siraj 10 (Australia 269-10)
Starc gives it a predictable heave and, equally predictably, holes out in the deep. That’s 10 wickets and Australia done for 269 – not a bad total considering the slumps and silly shots along the way.
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49th over: Australia 269-9 (Starc 10, Zampa 10) A dirty dozen balls remain. What can Australia do with them. Starc misses the first one from Siraj but gets plenty of the second one, pulling it over the cover boundary for a lovely SIX. A single from the third ball takes the partnership to 21 from 19 and the run-rate t0 5.5. Zampa misses the fifth ball but they run a leg bye and Starc gets strike for the last. What will he do with it?
48th over: Australia 261-9 (Starc 3, Zampa 10) Australia hang on, adding crucial runs. Zampa’s clip off the toes for FOUR gets Shami fuming but the ball was sliding down leg and deserved what it got. The sturdy quick bangs the next one wide of off stump but Zampa can’t get bat to it. He does to the last though, turning another two into the onside. This partnership is now worth 14 runs and will be frustrating India no end.
47th over: Australia 254-9 (Starc 2, Zampa 4) Headbanded Hardik returns to the fray with 3-40 from his seven overs so far. His first spell today broke Australia’s top-order and got India back into the match. Can he snatch a fourth scalp to tuck under that brow-beater of his? He’s trying hard, bending his back and hitting a length but the Australian tailenders are swinging away and picking up ones and twos. They take five from the over but Hardik’s last ball from was his fastest of the spell and it wallops into Zampa’s codpiece with a satisfying thud.
46th over: Australia 245-9 (Starc 1, Zampa 1) Four runs and a wicket from Mohammed Siraj – a return that India will be happy with, I’d reckon. Two new batters at the crease now. Can Mitchell Starc tonk Australia beyond 250?
WICKET! Ashton Agar c. Patel b. Siraj 17 (Australia 247-9)
Another one gone! This time it’s Agar pulling a fast ball from Siraj and not quite getting hold of it and holing out to Patel in the deep. One scalp to go for India.
WICKET! Sean Abbott b. Axar 26 (Australia 245-8)
Abbott opens the shoulders… and Axar scatters the stumps! That was the right shot to the wrong ball. He’d already flayed one six that over but he got greedy and went for another and Axar Patel was too good for him, shooting it through faster and flatter and sending the timber-work flying.
44th over: Australia 245-7 (Abbott 26, Agar 16) Abbott goes big! Axar hasn’t spun it much today and Abbott saw the full one and teed off, sending it flying across the fairway and into the grandstand for SIX. After swapping ends with a single, Agar goes on e better whipping Axar down the ground with those long levers for another SIX.
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43rd over: Australia 231-7 (Abbott 19, Agar 9) Almost a catch! Great bouncer from Mohammed Siraj but Ashton Agar used all his lanky frame to face it down and pull it to point where Rohit Sharma dived and missed. Good over for India as they bring back pace at one end and continue with Axar’s spin at the other.
43rd over: Australia 229-7 (Abbott 18, Agar 8) High risk? High reward! Sean Abbott starting to play with confidence now, reverse sweeping Kuldeep over the infield for another FOUR. With that boundary, this partnership has shot to 24 from 27 balls. An important contribution as Australia scrap and scrape to 250. Kuldeep gets one to turn the length of a cricket bat. Even fellow-spinner Ashton Agar, who happily swished his bat from its outrageous arc, nodded in praise.
42nd over: Australia 220-7 (Abbott 7, Agar 3) As Abbott and Agar run a few twos and singles to take seven from the over let’s pause to salute Hardik Pandya rocking the headband in this ODI. It doesn’t have a racing stripe like Dennis Lillee wore and it doesn’t have the samurai vibe of Stuart Broad but its a midnight blue tie-dye brow sash that evokes something far cooler.
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41st over: Australia 213-7 (Abbott 7, Agar 3) Here comes the power-play! And straight away Abbott has a big slog sweep at Kuldeep. He misses most of it but gets enough of it to send it over the wicketkeeper and down to fine leg for two runs. Another single through midwicket gives Ashton Agar strike in his 21st ODI. He takes one to make it four from the over. Australia’s projected score at their current run-rate of 5.2 gets them to 260 – will that be enough?
40th over: Australia 209-7 (Abbott 4, Agar 2) Sean Abbott takes a well-run two from Hardik the head-banded quick with three wickets to his name today. The 31-year-old Sydneysider calls himself an allrounder with 105 runs from his seven ODIs so far at the handy strike-rate of 105 and 12 wickets at 30.
39th over: Australia 203-6 (Abbott 1, Agar 0) Beautiful bowling by Kuldeep! After bamboozling Alex Carey he’s jagged one back into the pads of Ashton Agar. It didn’t look remotely out but when you’ve bowled as well as Kuldeep has it won Rohit Sharma over. India reviewed it reluctantly but no dice for the bluecaps – it was off line and too high. Great over though – a wicket maiden – butt he still gets a bollocking from his skipper for frittering India’s first review.
WICKET! Alex Carey b. Kuldeep 37 (Australia 203-7)
What a ripper by Kuldeep! Carey looked to late cut then went to defend and in the split second of indecision, Kuldeep got the ball to spin out of the rough, beat the bat and take the top of the off stump. Carey stood there bewildered at the mode of dismissal but the proof is lying on the ground in a puff of dust. He’s been bowled neck and crop and Australia, after a period of prosperity, are suddenly staggering again.
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38th over: Australia 203-6 (Carey 37, Abbott 1) Carey swipes another FOUR to bring up the first 200 total of the series and Australia take seven from the over to keep the run-rate rising after the rather needless loss of Marcus Stoinis for 24 just when he was warming up for some late-overs fireworks.
37th over: Australia 196-6 (Carey 32, Abbott 0) India strike back! Just when Australia looked to have things firmly in hand with the left-hander, right-hander pairing wearing India bowlers down, Stoinis had a rush of blood to the head and holed out. India have the tailenders in sight now and their own tails are up.
WICKET! Marcus Stoinis c. Gill b. Axar 24 (Australia 193-6)
Big wicket for India! The sixth-wicket pair were slowly but surely turning the match Australia’s way and then Stoinis plays his first poor shot of the innings, hoiking across the line and top-edging to Shubman Gill in the deep.
36th over: Australia 193-5 (Carey 30, Stoinis 24) Straight ball from Shami… straight drive from Stoinis for FOUR! That’s the fifty partnership between these two – 55 from 49 balls to be exact – and what a vital one it’s been for Australia. They came together at 138-5 and are now closing on 200 and yet to hit high gear. If India don’t get a wicket soon, and these two keep striking at their usual 88 or better, watch out!
35th over: Australia 187-5 (Carey 29, Stoinis 19) As Axar Patel returns to the attack for his sixth over and gets cut for two by Stoinis, this partnership climbs into the forties – very handy for Australia as they climb to the first 200 total of the series. And India give them a helping hand, as umpires punish them for over-stepping the infield ring. Free hit to Australia! And Carey makes it count, stepping back and putting Patel over the long off boundary for SIX. That’s 13 runs from the over, the run-rate back at 5.31 and Australia fighting back.
34th over: Australia 173-5 (Carey 20, Stoinis 15) Smiles all round as Stoinis survives a half-hearted run-out attempt at the non-strikers end from Rohit Sharma. Mohammed Shami has returned to the attack. The veteran seamer took some long-handle stick from Head and Marsh early with 21 runs from his first three overs but this is a different time of the game with a different, softer ball and the fourth over is much better with five dots before Carey flashes at the last and flays it away for two runs.
33rd over: Australia 171-5 (Carey 18, Stoinis 15) Marcus Stoinis clips another FOUR as his canter becomes a gallop and Australia slowly haul themselves out of the hole. Stoinis has just one ODI century to his name but it was a beauty. He hit 11 sixes in his 146 v New Zealand, setting a new record for an Australian in a ODI and memorably putting on 52 for the final wicket with Josh Hazlewood, with Stoinis farming the strike so masterfully Big Josh didn’t face a single ball.
32nd over: Australia 164-5 (Carey 16, Stoinis 10) Last over from Ravi Jadeja and Stoinis and Carey take three singles from it to make it a spell of 0-34. No wickets for Jadeja but he applied crucial pressure at his end and allowed Kuldeep and Hardik to collect the scalps at the other end.
31st over: Australia 161-5 (Carey 14, Stoinis 9) Finesse from Stoinis! Not a sentence we get to write often of the big hitting boy with the 92 strike rate but definitely warranted here. Kuldeep threw him a topspinner and the big fella declined to whack it and instead reverse swept it to the boundary for FOUR. And Australia get another FOUR, this one a wide ball from Kuldeep that eludes both slip and wicketkeeper and runs away to third man. Bit lucky but it makes 12 for the over and gets Australia’s run rate back to 5.19.
30th over: Australia 149-5 (Carey 12, Stoinis 4) Ravi Jadeja has four runs taken from his ninth over as Carey and Stoinis start the rebuild with four singles. Stoinis averages 28 in his ODI career with one century and six fifties to his name. He and Australia would dearly love one or the other today.
29th over: Australia 145-5 (Carey 10, Stoinis 2) Australia imploding at Chennai! Dumb shots by Warner and Labuschagne have really put them in a hole here. Marcus Stoinis is at the crease in his 60th ODI for Australia. Not renowned for anchoring an innings, the 33-year-old allrounder from Perth has got a real challenge on his hands here. Luckily Alex Carey buys him some thinking time with a couple of lovely sweeps, the first an orthodox sweep for four, the second a reverse for a single. A wicket and seven runs from Kuldeep’s sixth over.
WICKET! Marnus Labuschagne c. Gill b. Kuldeep 28 (Australia 138-5)
Big swing from Marnus! Big mistake by Marnus! Just when he looked like he would scheme and strategise himself to a good score he steps down and tries to heave Kuldeep over the mid-off boundary. But the connection is poor and the shot is skied, landing in the sticky fingers of Shubman Gill. India on the attack!
28th over: Australia 138-4 (Labuschagne 28, Carey 5) Australia have broken this mesmeric spell from Ravindra Jadeja, picking off four singles and a riskily executed chip shot to the fine leg boundary by Labuschagne. Eight from the over is better by the Aussies but a big total is still a long way off.
27th over: Australia 130-4 (Labuschagne 22, Carey 3) Alex Carey hasn’t reverse-swept so far, content for now to work singles. Will both me play a sheet anchor role or will Labuschagne lock in for the long haul and allow Carey to freewheel?
26th over: Australia 128-4 (Labuschagne 21, Carey 1) Run rate is under five! That’s a victory for India after Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh got Australia away to a flier. Now they have broken the fourth partnership they can attack the looser batting of Carey and the more nervous disposition of Labuschagne. Suddenly the absence of Cameron Green through illness is leaving a big gap in the Australian batting line-up too.
25th over: Australia 126-4 (Labuschagne 20, Carey 1) Lovely Mr Labuschagne! As he deadbats a reverse sweep and takes a nimble two. The next he tonks down the ground but it can’t elude long off and only a single eventuates. After Warner holes out there’s a massive shout for LBW to Alex Carey’s first ball. India don’t review and it’s a poor call because it was all pad and no bat and straight as a pool cue. Kuldeep not happy with his skipper there but India remain ascendent. Carey survives to get off the mark. He needs a good innings after some wasteful efforts in the Test series, that’s for sure.
WICKET! David Warner c. Hardik b. Kuldeep 23 (Australia 125-4)
Warner launches down the ground but it’s a loose shot and he knows it. His head drops as the ball does likewise – straight into the safe hands of Hardik Pandya. That’s a big blow for India and a frittered opportunity for David Warner in his sole appearance of the series. India well on top now.
24th over: Australia 122-3 (Warner 23, Labuschagne 17) Ravi Jadeja starts his fifth over with 0-16 to his name… and it’s almost 1-16 as Labuschagne fends on the up and sends a catch to where silly mid-on might’ve been. They take a single but no more as the run rate slides back to 5.08. India putting the squeeze on!
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23rd over: Australia 121-3 (Warner 23, Labuschagne 16) This partnership had pottered to 29 runs from 48 balls and Kuldeep Yadav had it well in check… until Labuschagne slog swept him for a SIX. Risky shot to a ball that was pitched outside off and swinging to a part of the ground where Axar Patel was loitering with intent. But Marnus gave it enough to clear fielder and fence. The 40,000+ strong Chennai crowd enjoyed that too. Eight runs from the over.
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22nd over: Australia 113-3 (Warner 22, Labuschagne 9) It’s been said that 280 is a minimum score at this ground and with Australia strolling along at 5.14 per over that puts them thirty runs short. A single run from the Jadeja over won’t help. Australia nearing the half-way mark. When will they risk an acceleration?
21st over: Australia 112-3 (Warner 21, Labuschagne 9) Kuldeep returns and after a Labuschagne single Warner has a whack over cover for FOUR. A single off the last takes Warner to 21 from 23 balls – a good start in the unfamiliar No 4 slot.
20th over: Australia 106-3 (Warner 13, Labuschagne 9) Almost a catch! Warner, batting in a golden floppy, wafted at that Jadeja ball and it was almost caught. Not an easy chance – Siraj needed to dive and did but it wasn’t enough as the catch fell short. But it reaffirms the obvious: India are on top! With three quick wickets to Hardik Pandya, they have reduced the torrent of runs from Marsh and Head to a trickle under Labuschagne and Warner.
19th over: Australia 101-3 (Warner 13, Labuschagne 6) Kuldeep is in his 81st ODI and he has 131 wickets at 27 to show for them. he started as a fast bowler before switching to left-arm wrist spin. Kuldeep made his Test debut against Australia in a deciding match in Dharamsala in March 2017 and claimed 4 for 68 in the first innings. He also has the rare distinction of a hat-trick in against Scotland to his name – a feat he achieved in 2014 as a 19-year-old. He flings them down at about 81-88kph and goes for four runs in his first over today.
18th over: Australia 97-3 (Warner 10, Labuschagne 5) Warner works a single from Jadeja. Warner has been crisp but circumspect in his approach so far. Marnus looks less at ease but he taps a run in return to keep things ticking over. Looks like Kuldeep Yadav will get a bowl here.
17th over: Australia 94-3 (Warner 8, Labuschagne 4) From 68-0 Australia fell to 85-3 after Hardik Pandya, the 29-year-old quick from Gujarat, claimed three big wickets in 11 fiery deliveries. And he has Labuschagne swinging and missing! Although he has an average of 57 from his 37 Tests, it drops steeply to 31 from his 30 ODIs so far with just one century and six fifties. Hardik Pandya has the crowd cheering his every ball and he’s rising to the occasion with good line and length bowling. Just two runs from that over. Run rate is down to 5.53 now.
16th over: Australia 92-3 (Warner 7, Labuschagne 3) The duel resumes! Jadeja to Labuschagne was an enthralling contest in the Test series with the India spinner getting the better of the world’s No 1 batter. Can Marnus extract some revenge here with a match-winning innings in this deciding ODI? He and Warner are happy to rotate the strike for three singles from the over.
15th over: Australia 88-3 (Warner 6, Labuschagne 1) David Warner takes a single from the first Hardik ball after the break. He looks in good nick, clearly refreshed by the spell at home nursing that fractured arm. Mitch Marsh looked in good nick too, having swatted Hardik’s second delivery over square leg for FOUR before being bowled middle stump by the third. Labuschagne, demoted from his familiar No 3 position in the Test side, has strode out at No 5 and taken a single to get off the mark. Warner takes one off his eyebrows to end the over with a two.
WICKET! Mitchell Marsh b. Hardik 47 (Australia 85-3)
Big wicket as Marsh swings big and misses big! A third wicket for Hardik – he now has 3-15 from 11 balls and he has turned this match on its head with a magnificent spell of fast bowling. Marsh didn’t move his feet enough there and was well beaten, with middle stump uprooted.
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14th over: Australia 80-2 (Marsh 43, Warner 3) Ravi Jadeja is into the attack and the Australian batters take three single from his first three deliveries. Three dots follow as Australia’s run rate slips to 5.7. Drinks.
13th over: Australia 77-2 (Marsh 42, Warner 1) Pressure back on Australia! Warner gets off the mark with a late glance to fine leg. Will we see Warner The Monk consolidate Australia’s good start and play himself back into the selector’s affections? Or will we see Warner the Bull bashing Australia into the ascendency? Much depends on the man at the other end and if Mitch Marsh plays loose shots like that – almost caught on the long off boundary – it’ll be the former from Warner. Does Australia attack or settle? Interesting overs ahead.
WICKET! Steve Smith c. Rahul b. Hardik 0 (Australia 74-2)
Smith is gone for a duck! The Australian captain took a lavish heave at that delivery but the seam was scrambled and it had a similar effect on Smith’s thinking as he swung hard and caught a thick edge behind. Two wickets in four balls for Hardik Pandya.
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12th over: Australia 74-1 (Marsh 40, Smith 0) Steve Smith is in the centre and for just the second time in his 142-ODI career David Warner is readying to bat in the middle order. It didn’t go well last time for Warner – he lasted only six balls. But already Smith is busy, calling Marsh through for a lightning-fast two. Brilliant fielding from Kohli saves a glorious back-foot cover drive by Marsh – that’ the second boundary the King has saved today. How crucial will that be in the end? We have a belated FOUR here for Marsh as his two to the boundary is shown to have sent the fielder onto his heels which connected with the toblerone. That’s 2000 ODI runs for Mitchell Marsh – well done, young fella! He’s done it at 35.11 from his 68 ODIs.
WICKET! Travis Head c. Yadav b. Pandya 33 (Australia 68-1)
Third time unlucky for Head as he finally goes too far. This time Hardik Pandya sends it through a trifle faster and it catches the top edge and flies to Kuldeep Yadav for a simple catch. India have first blood at last!
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Key event
11th over: Australia 68-0 (Head 27, Marsh 33) As we enter the second ten overs the field spreads and Sharma changes it up, bringing Hardik Pandya into the attack. Marsh dabs a single from the first and Head has a big swing at the next… but it’s DROPPED by Shubman Gill. The trap was set and Hardik did his bit, tempting Head into a cross-bat whack but Gill dived too far forward and it hit his hands too hard, breaking the seal and scurrying away for FOUR. Head tempts fate again lofting high and soft over the infield but short of the boundary. Will he try again? Of course he does but he miscues…
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10th over: Australia 61-0 (Head 27, Marsh 33) Beaten on the bounce! That was very close to an edge from Marsh to that quicker ball from Patel. And Marsh is beaten again and almost chops this one on. Finally after four dots Marsh gets one away for a single. But that’s it as just one run comes from the over.
9th over: Australia 60-0 (Head 27, Marsh 32) Head swings the axe! That wasn’t a bad ball from Siraj but Head made it look pedestrian stepping back and leaning into it to swipe it over cover for FOUR. Great response from Siraj though – fast and straight with steepling bounce and it beats Head’s edge and flies to the wicketkeeper at head-height. The next is a true bouncer but despite the pace and bounce Head is undeterred and has a red-hot go at it, trying to loft over slips. He misses that one but gets the next one, backing way off the pitch to cut over the infield for a marvellously fashioned FOUR. Big appeal on the last as Siraj delivers a 143kph cross-seamer onto Head’s pads but again Sharma not tempted to review. Instead he call his team into a huddle to fire them up.
8th over: Australia 52-0 (Head 19, Marsh 32) Head goes downtown! Axar Patel bowled a tight over last time and Head showed it respect. But he showed that first delivery no respect whatsoever, stepping down and scorching it down the ground for a maximum. After a single to Head, Marsh uncoils a glorious slog over cover for FOUR. Three balls. Eleven runs. All that hard work by Siraj undone! But the next three are better from Patel. Australia’s fifty is up.
7th over: Australia 41-0 (Head 12, Marsh 28) India slowed the runs with that Patel over and now Rohit Sharma slows the game, with elaborate fielding changes. Kohli has gone to the midwicket boundary in a catching position. Can Mohammed Siraj find an off-middle stump line and lure Marsh into a skewed catch? In his 24th ODI for India Siraj is slinging them down at 139kph and finding skid and sure enough Marsh swings for the grandstand but misses. The next ball is a bouncer and Marsh swats at it as it flies over his right shoulder but he lost sight of it late and missed it. Two more skidders and a slower ball finish it off and what an over that was from Siraj – a much-needed maiden.
6th over: Australia 41-0 (Head 12, Marsh 28) Almost a run out! India have brought spin into the attack with Axar Patel and Head, pinned down for the first three, took a chance on the fourth. The throw was wide but a direct hit might’ve had Head in serious trouble. Marsh picks off a single from the last as India staunch the torrent of runs at last. Just two from that over.
5th over: Australia 39-0 (Head 11, Marsh 27) Head joins the party! That ball from Shami was fast and hip-height and Head pivoted beautifully to send it over the fence for SIX. Head smokes the next two as well but Sharma’s field is good and both shots find the fielder. Head drops the fifth at his feet and Marsh responds with a quick single. India’s bowlers and fielders under real pressure here. Marsh adds to it, cheekily working a straight ball past the short fine leg for FOUR.
Mitchell’s Dad, Geoff, might’ve raised a Swan Lager to that one. India and Australia played the first ODI ever at this MA Chidambaram Stadium in 1987 and Geoff Marsh made a brilliant 110 to help Australia win a World Cup thriller.
4th over: Australia 28-0 (Head 4, Marsh 23) Siraj gets Head hopping! They run a leg-bye but there’s bite in this wicket and both batters have fallen afoul of balls that have jagged in and beaten them on a stump line. The power of Marsh is on show on the next delivery as he blocks Siraj to mid on but strikes it so sweetly it flies along the carpet to the rope for another FOUR. There’s an appeal on the fifth ball and to Siraj it looked very close. His screams fall on deaf ears as captain Rohit Sharma doesn’t review. Replays show it maybe flying over. Marsh celebrates by belting a full ball on off stump down the ground for another FOUR. Marsh has 23 from 15 with four fours and a six. Clearly not in a running mood.
3rd over: Australia 19-0 (Head 4, Marsh 15) Hot start from Australia! Now it will be Shami to Marsh for the first time. He is coming over the wicket to the right-hander and there’s some nip in this pitch as Marsh is beaten on the inside line. Pinned down for two balls, he unleashes at the third for SIX! That was sweet half volley and Marsh didn’t hesitate to cash-in. A slower ball – 124kph down from 141kph – foils another heave. And Shami repeats the dose on the last ball, bringing the ball back to beat bat and pad and send it flying through the gate. Good comeback by the veteran seamer.
2nd over: Australia 13-0 (Head 4, Marsh 9) Here comes Mohammed Siraj to Mitchell Marsh. The big allrounder from Western Australia has been in imperious form all series with 81 in the first game and 66 not out (from 36 balls) in the second. And straight away he’s seeing it like a watermelon, stepping inside the line to a straight ball and flicking it over midwicket for FOUR. And he goes again very next delivery as Siraj puts it in the corridor outside off and Marsh whips it high over the infield for another big FOUR. After a single from Marsh Kohli saves a powerfully punched shot from Head. Four runs saved.
1st over: Australia 4-0 (Head 4, Marsh 0) Here we go. Australia v India. Mohammed Shami v Travis Head. Shami is coming around the wicket and is bang on line, beating Head on the inside edge with his second delivery. Head has chopped onto his stumps before chasing hard contact and fast runs so Shami will try the ploy again. The offside is packed and the ball is repeatedly angling in at Head’s ribs… until the fifth which is full and met with a fat bat by Travis Head who sends it hurtling to the long on boundary for FOUR. We are away!
TEAMS ANNOUNCED
Australia: 1 Travis Head, 2 Mitchell Marsh, 3 Steven Smith (capt), 4 David Warner, 5 Alex Carey (wk), 6 Marnus Labuschagne, 7 Marcus Stoinis, 8 Sean Abbott, 9 Mitchell Starc, 10 Ashton Agar, 11 Adam Zampa
India: 1 Rohit Sharma (capt), 2 Shubman Gill, 3 Virat Kohli, 4 Suryakumar Yadav, 5 KL Rahul (wk), 6 Hardik Pandya, 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 Axar Patel, 9 Kuldeep Yadav, 10 Mohammed Shami, 11 Mohammed Siraj
Australia have made two changes to their XI, bringing in Agar and Warner for Ellis and Green, with the latter too sick to play. India are unchanged.
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Australia have won the toss in Chennai and will bat first
It’s a hot day here in Chennai and David Warner is back in the XI albeit batting at No 4. Here come the teams…
Game Two found Australia climbing off the canvas to square the series with some masterful reverse swing from Mitchell Starc and a whirlwind opening partnership by Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh.
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/mar/19/cricket-india-australia-second-odi-match-report
Game One went India’s away… but only after Australia gift-wrapped it with an incredible batting collapse.
Hot on the heel of the Test series, hard up against the IPL and non-existent on the schedule until a couple of months ago, this has been a hasty yet tasty ODI series between two proud cricketing nations.
For India, it will be their final ODIs until the tour of the Caribbean in August. For Australia it’s the last one-dayers until a tour of South Africa in late August. And for both, it’s kind’ve a six-match series given these teams meet again in Sept-Oct for another warm-up event of three rubbers ahead of the One Day International World Cup kicking off October 5.
Here’s how Geoff Lemon previewed the series…
Preamble
Howdy cricket fans and welcome to Chennai for the final ODI between India and Australia. Angus Fontaine here to call the first innings for you. And what a rip-roaring night we have ahead of us.
Since 1980 these two nations have met in 145 one-day internationals. Australia has won 81 of those and India 54 with 10 games ending with no-result. With a mere 40% win-rate that is India’s poorest record against any international side.
However, this series is dead level at one victory apiece and a tantalising showdown awaits us tonight, with the dust still settling on a fiercely-fought Test series and both nations hurtling toward a “fifth Test” and global bragging rights at the World Test Championship final to be played at The Oval in June.
A quick recap on the series for those who came in late…
Fresh from claiming the Border-Gavaskar Test series by 2-1, India took Game One at Mumbai in fine style, fighting back from 89-5 to mow down Australia’s total of 189. That score was a disappointing one, given the visitors were flying at 129-2 before imploding to lose eight wickets for 59 wickets.
As they did in the Test series, Australia roared back, claiming Game Two at Visakhapatnam by ten wickets as Mitchell Starc ran through India to bag 5-53 and skittle them for 117. Mitchell Marsh (66 not out) and Travis Head (51 not out) then gobbled up the chase in 11 overs to romp home and take us to a decider.
As it did in the first three Tests, ball has dominated bat in this series with no batting total above 200 thus far. Interestingly, it has been pace, not spin, that has proven the most destructive though, with Mitchell Starc in blistering form and Sean Abbott and Nathan Ellis offering excellent support.
Chidambaram Stadium isn’t known as a high-scoring venue but tonight could be the night. Both sides bat deep and the simmering tension between the teams is set to explode as players chase both a series win for their countries while also firing up their individual credentials ahead of the $6bn India Premier League tournament that starts on April 1.
We’re about to light the fuse so buckle ‘em up and batten ‘em down!
