The first ODI of the three-match series between Australia and India began on Nov 27, Friday at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). The match marked the beginning of India’s two-month tour down under and also saw the return of the crowd in international matches.
Both Australia and India players wore black armbands to pay tribute to Dean Jones and Phil Hughes. Aaron Finch won the toss and decided to bat first on a beauty of a wicket.
It was a perfect start for the home side as Aaron Finch and David Warner (69) added 156 runs for the first wicket, as Indian bowlers looked a bit out of touch. Both the players picked the gaps beautifully with Warner hitting 6 fours in his knock.
After Warner was dismissed caught behind off Mohammad Shami, Steve Smith came out to join his captain and proceeded to add 108 runs more for the second wicket. Meanwhile, Finch made 17th century in ODIs and was dismissed for 114 in 124 balls by Bumrah, hitting 9 fours and 4 sixes in his innings.
Marcus Stoinis earned a golden duck, getting out to Chahal, but Maxwell hit a blistering 19-ball 45 runs with 3 sixes and 5 fours, at a strike-rate of 236.84.
Steve Smith remained till the end to give Australia a very good finish, making his 10th ODI ton, that too off just 62 balls. He got out for 105 runs in 66 balls with 11 fours and 4 sixes to his name. Even Alex Carey (17*) hit a few boundaries to aid Smith and took Australia to their final score of 374/6 in 50 overs.
For India, Saini (1/83) and Chahal (1/89) proved to be expensive, while Mohammad Shami with 3/59 in 10 overs proved to be the best bowler by far. This is going to be a stiff target for India to chase down, especially in absence of Rohit Sharma at the top.
The Cricket fraternity lauded the Australian batting effort, with special praise reserved for Steve Smith and Aaron Finch for their marvelous centuries.
Here are the tweets:
