A superb display by India’s quick bowlers has limited Australia to a paltry 159 in the Commonwealth Bank series one-dayer at the MCG.
The low, slow Melbourne track will give the home side some hope heading into the night session, however a target of 160 will still be considered grossly under par.
Mike Hussey was the only Australian to provide resistance, finishing unbeaten on 65.
Despite losing Adam Gilchrist (0) to a dreadful LBW decision off Sreesanth, the home side were clearly on a mission to stampede the Indian attack. Matt Hayden had Australia pumping at seven runs an over, until he was caught behind off Ishant Sharma for 25. Sharma removed Ricky Ponting, who is fast-becoming a favourite haunt for the spindly quick, for 9.
Michael Clarke struggled to 11, while Andrew Symonds provided Sharma his third scalp, caught behind for 14.
Hussey and Brad Haddin - playing as a batsman only - eased off the pedal. Haddin was bamboozled by Harbhajan, stumped for 5 off 31 balls.
Australia had collapsed to 6 for 92.
Brett Lee then combined with Hussey for an innings best 53 run partnership, of which the NSW quick scored 10. Mitchell Johnson was quickly dispatched for 3.
Nathan Bracken (1) and Stuart Clark (0) could not give Hussey any support. Sharma (4 for 38 off 9.1) deservedly finished with the pick of the figures, while Sreesanth (3 for 31 off 9) and Pathan (2 for 26 off 
were excellent allies.
India is yet to win or lose a match in the series, with their two matches in Brisbane washed out.
Share This Post!
These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.
No comments yet.