Australian One Day effort one of the greatest ever

Whilst Ricky Ponting’s men are losing their aura of invincibility in the Test arena, Australia will remain as the no.1 ranked nation in 50 overs Cricket thanks to a courageous display against an Indian unit that now must win the remaining two games to clinch what has been a spectacular series.

Stripped to the bones of their player roster, Australia still managed to conjure up a special batting performance which saw them post 350 runs thanks to the sublime opening partnership of Shane Watson and Shaun Marsh.

It proved to be just enough in the end to hold off a fast finishing Indian outfit, lead by the resurgence in form of master batsman Sachin Tendulkar.

Watson just fell short of a deserved ton, whilst Marsh managed to go on and conjure up his maiden One Day century much to the delight of captain Ricky Ponting.

The Tasmanian himself chipped in with 45 runs, while Cameron White built upon the terrific foundation set by the opening batsmen to score 57 runs in devastating fashion.

The way Australia went about their business out in the middle showcased why they have been the benchmark in One Day Cricket for so many years.

Up against an Indian attack minus fast bowler Ishant Sharma, the tourists went about posting the highest total possible against a side that had most of its batting figures in form.

Watson got the innings off to a flyer, as he smashed the new-ball bowlers around.

He blasted first-change bowler Munaf Patel for a four and a six in his second over to quickly close in on a half-century and clobbered Ashish Nehra for another four and six to reach the milestone off just 40 deliveries.

Watson motored along nicely once past the 50 mark, completely dominating an opening stand with Marsh worth 145.

Australia’s free scoring was finally curbed with the introduction of Harbhajan Singh and Yuvraj Singh, the two bowling accurately in tandem and asserting a degree of control.

India could not make their best passage of the innings count however, as Singh, Dhoni and Sehwag all fumbled fairly straight forward chances.

Sehwag and Dhoni’s failed attempts in particular cost India dearly, as the batsman they both dropped would later go on and post his maiden One Day century.

Marsh, who had begun unconvincingly, began to score fluently after his spell of luck.

His second 50 came off just 41 deliveries and he celebrated exuberantly once he reached his ton.

Despite falling while trying to up the scoring, both White and Michael Hussey (31 not out) provided the flourish at the death.

White was snared off the last ball, but the Victorian had done the damage, putting on 80 off just 43 deliveries for the fourth wicket with Hussey.

It seemed Australia’s total would prove too big a mountain to climb, after restricting India to 162-4 well into the innings.

Sehwag’s swift cameo was undone by the cheap dismissals of influential figures Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh and Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

It would take one of the more astonishing innings by legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar to give India a reasonable shot of attaining a famous victory.

The little master, who had smashed Nathan Hauritz for consecutive sixes in an over, reached his 45th ODI century off just 81 deliveries and continued to flay the bowlers around as India closed in on the target.

Tendulkar was well supported by Raina, the left-hander providing excellent support as the match swung India’s way under their charge.

Raina went on to add 137 for the fifth wicket with Tendulkar, reaching his 12th ODI half-century with a towering six off McKay.

Australian figure head Shane Watson however turned the match, dismissing both Raina and Harbaghan Singh in the same over to steer the tourists to one of their more memorable One Day victories.

Making do without the services of Brett Lee, Peter Siddle, James Hopes, Brad Haddin and Moses Henriques, Australia should be mightly proud of the efforts of a team who continually defy the constant perception regarding their inevitable down fall as Cricket’s prime superpower.

Judging from their efforts against an illustrious opponent such as India away from home, Ricky Ponting’s men are not about to bow to a so called new Cricketing world order just yet.

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