Paceman Brett Lee took five wickets as Australia advanced to the final of the tri-series tournament with an 18-run victory over India on Friday.
Australia struggled with the bat, scoring 213 all out in 48.1 overs but their bowlers, led by Lee who claimed 5-38, fought back to dismiss India for 195.
”It was a terrific win for us and I’ve always thought that Brett is the best one-day bowler in the world,” Australia captain Rocky Ponting, who won the toss and chose to bat, told reporters. ”With his pace and ability to put the ball where he wants to, any batsman is going to find it difficult.
”It was a really good, tight tussle right towards the end and Australia generally win those kinds of contests.”
Brad Haddin (46) and Brad Hogg (38) had combined for a 77-run seventh-wicket stand to help Australia push their total above 200, which ultimately proved decisive. Only opener Matthew Hayden (54) was able to find his rhythm at the top of the order.
Dinesh Mongia hit an unbeaten 63 for India but found little support.
”I think the whole batting order, starting with myself, must stand up and be counted,” said India captain Rahul Dravid.
”It was hard to stomach. These kinds of losses really hurt. We’ll take some positives but chasing 213 on a pretty easy wicket, we should have really won the match.”
Even Sachin Tendulkar, who top scored for India twice in this series, was unable to lift them out of their batting rut. He scored only four runs after initially surviving a caught-behind decision.
Haddin, looking increasingly like the man to take over from Adam Gilchrist as Australia’s first-choice wicketkeeper, smashed four sixes in his 63-ball knock of 46. — Reuters