Australia’s reserve pacemen and recalled batsmen stood up to shock India by 34 runs at the SCG, when Rohit Sharma scored 133 but couldn’t overhaul the hosts’ 5-288 in the ODI series opener.
Desperate to shore up a World Cup defence that looked in awful shape after three wins from Australia’s past 21 completed ODIs, selectors made six changes.
Usman Khawaja scored 59 during his first ODI in almost two years while Peter Handscomb, playing his first ODI in 15 months, top-scored with 73 after Aaron Finch opted to bat.
Debutant Jason Behrendorff and fifth-gamer Jhye Richardson, both called up in the absence of rested guns Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins, quickly reduced India to 3-4.
Behrendorff trapped Shikhar Dhawan lbw for a golden duck then Richardson, who finished with man-of-the-match figures of 4-26, removed Virat Kohli and Ambati Rayudu in the space of three balls to make the target look an imposing one.
“I’m ecstatic,” Richardson said.
“It’s good to put a personal performance on the board but I’m just really excited with the way Australian cricket is heading.”
Sharma countered with his 22nd ODI century, sharing a 137-run stand with MS Dhoni as they threatened to drag the tourists to victory.
It was an epic fightback from Dhoni, whose 332 ODIs meant he boasted as much experience as Australia’s entire XI, and Sharma, arguably the best one-day batsman in the world.
Behrendorff, presented his cap by Glenn McGrath, ended the partnership by trapping Dhoni lbw for 51 and the visitors eventually finished at 9-254.
Ball-tracking replays confirmed the ball was pitching outside leg stump, however Rayudu had already wasted India’s only review.
“We’re not very pleased with the way we played,” Kohli said in the presentation.
Richardson blasted out Dinesh Karthik and Ravindra Jadeja but Sharma’s six sixes and continued presence at the crease gave India’s fans, well represented in the 37,556-strong crowd, some hope.
A victory equation of 75 runs from the final five overs ultimately proved insurmountable as Shama went down swinging at Marcus Stoinis.
“We kept losing wickets at the wrong time,” Sharma said.
“These are the games that will teach you a lot.”
Earlier, Stoinis smacked an unbeaten 47 off 43 balls as Australia batted out their full 50 overs for just the third time in nine ODIs under Justin Langer.
The absence of a collapse was a big tick, especially after Australia slipped to 2-41 when promoted opener Alex Carey joined Finch in the pavilion.
Australia failed to find the rope between the start of the 37th over and end of the 43rd over, managing only 27 runs in that stretch.
It prompted plenty of wisecracks in the commentary box about Australia’s conservative approach mirroring their canary-yellow retro kit from 1986
But Australia took 80 runs off the final seven overs as Stoinis and Handscomb delivered what proved a winning score.
Ben
Roar Rookie
Unless finch starts scoring runs he won’t be in the team let alone captain.
Paul
Roar Guru
Why not Simoc? Exactly what did Finch do wrong as captain?
Paul
Roar Guru
Dhoni is the weak link in this team. Kohli gives him free rein to make fielding changes, especially in the death overs, but Australia scored nearly 80 in that time. He then batted for nearly 100 deliveries for 50 odd. It doesn't matter he got a shocker, the fact is, he's developed this habit of batting really slowly then trying to accelerate later. That's fine for him, but if he gets out, it puts huge pressure on the guys following to lift the run rate from ball one. I can't see India winning the WC unless Dhoni changes his style and becomes more aggressive earlier. They also need to Pant in there as a batsman, to cover for Dhoni if he slips into his shell.
Paul
Roar Guru
In "normal" cricket, the captain sets the lineup and they can change it. I assume it should be the same here but maybe he was under orders to stick with that lineup.
jameswm
Roar Guru
You're underestimating Carey. He's a good player. And there's not enough firepower up top. Handscomb can keep. Pick another batman if need be.
AREH
Roar Guru
The efforts of Handscomb and S. Marsh didn't surprise me at all. It's amazing how the mindset can change when the format being played does. Both deserved to be in there, Handscomb was outstanding in the domestic OD Cup and I thought deserved more 50-over opportunities after scoring that 80-odd in his first or second? match against Pakistan a couple of years ago. Even if S.Marsh doesn't play another test match, he is needed here, and has long been a far superior white-ball player - it's a wonder he hasn't played more ODI cricket actually. Can they have both AND Khawaja? I am not sure, but I wouldn't read a great deal into yesterday's strike rates on that pitch. I would say you can possibly only fit all 3 in if Handscomb takes the gloves and Carey misses, but I can't see it.
Rob JM
Guest
I prefer Handscomb over Lynn, Excellent fielder, and can score fast and handles spin better. Stoinis and Maxwell provide the firepower and are not out of their depth if a collapse happens. Carey is the biggest weakness. Leave him as a floater. Finch Warner Carey (floater) Smith Handscomb Stoinis Maxwell Richardson Cummins Starc/Dorf Spinner. (Agar/lyon/Zampa)
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
I thought Finch’s captaincy in the field was really good – but his batting form is another story – and someone should have made the decision to bat Maxwell earlier – is that the coach or Finch’s call
Simoc
Guest
We won't win the World Cup or go close with Finch in charge. Great work by the WA boys to flatten Indias top order. Richardson has been going great every time I've watched him.
Ouch
Roar Rookie
A pleasant surprise to get the win but sheesh - having Maxwellcoming in at 7 and only facing 5 balls was tactically naive at best. Hope Richardson and Behrendorf keep bowling well. The “big 3” get an easy ride imo
Luke
Guest
Would have been nice to be able to watch the match on TV. Saturday in January and no cricket on TV? Been getting my son interested in cricket, but not having games on free to air makes it really difficult. Cricket Australia are in danger of losing a generation of fans and killing the goose that layed the golden egg....
jameswm
Roar Guru
We can’t afford to carry 3 accumulators in a row either. 1 Finch (he needs runs though) 2 Maxwell 3 Smith 4 Carey 5 Warner 6 Lynn 7 Stoinis At least has the firepower to win. They can all strike high too. And can all occupy the crease. Or swap Finch and Carey.
anon
Roar Pro
Maxwell can potentially take the game from the opposition in the first 10 overs. The most dynamic batsman in the game shouldn't be down at 7 facing 5 deliveries. That's just stupid. It's like picking Cummins for instance and only having him bowl one out of his allotted 10. How dumb can you get.
anon
Roar Pro
We bowled well early which set it up, the uniforms look fantastic. Hopefully this becomes the official strip. I think 7/10 times India chase down 290 on that pitch in those conditions. India batting first would have scored 350 plus. There's work to do for our batters, Langer stuffed up big time having one of the best white ball cricketers on the planet only facing 5 deliveries out of 300. That's just stupid. Langer's paid to not make those kind of blunders.
Tana Mir
Roar Rookie
Few years back, Australia were struggling in Sri Lanka, Smith left the team for a rest, and Warner captained. He pushed Maxi to open (T20) and Maxi won us the series, scored 140 against Lankans, in the first game, when everyone else seemed to struggle. I agree, push Maxi to open and give him the license. I reckon he will win us more games than the current openers, Warner included.
Tana Mir
Roar Rookie
Different wicket mate. I reckon 260/270 was par score on this wicket. Aussies did well to score 280+ The only issue they need to fix is bat Maxwell higher.
Ben
Roar Rookie
We will lose the World Cup if our top Order don’t strike at least at 100. 300 should be a minimum score.
Ben
Roar Rookie
Finch should bat at 7 as his output with the bat does not justify a role up the batting order. Let’s see if finch practices what he preaches as he demoted Maxwell claiming the same. Maxwell should open with Carey and stoinis should split khawaja and marsh. We can’t have our top 4 with a strike rate less than 100. Maxwell Carey Khawaja Stoinis Marsh Handscomb Finch Bowlers
TheCunningLinguistic
Roar Rookie
To be fair, it wasn’t that easy to rotate the strike at that time. I think they did a fine job, just a shame they didn’t carry on with it, ala Sharma.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Dhoni was scoring so slowly , India had already lost the match. Whether he got out or not made no difference