M A I N   N E W S

Kangaroos in Blue
India create history, beat Oz to win tri-series
Ashis Ray

Brisbane, March 4
The intoxication continues. Now, an Indian triumph in the triangular Commonwealth Bank one-day series, eclipsing world champions, Australia, that, too, by sweeping the finals 2-0, albeit by a narrow margin of nine runs in the second meeting here at the Gabba on Tuesday.

Although dismissed for the 17th time in the nineties, Sachin Tendulkar (91 off 121 balls) laid the foundation for irrepressible Praveen Kumar (four for 46) to deliver the coup de grace. The issue was tantalisingly resolved with only two balls to spare.

In their sixth attempt and after disappointment in three previous finals, India have stirringly made amends in the concluding chapter of the 29-year-old tournament.

Twelve months ago, Australia suffered an identical fate at the hands of England, yet recovered to win the World Cup. There are distinct signs of their remarkable dominance of international cricket being threatened; and by India.

An Indian team comprising considerably of teenagers and exponents in their early 20s, in course of a month-long encounter, have slowly but surely tamed Australians.

India bowled well throughout the tourney, revealing an unforeseen depth of talent. The find of the tour, Ishant Sharma’s swollen middle finger prevented him from leading the attack. Yet, Kumar, the discovery of the one-dayers, compensated with three wickets with the new ball to reduce Australia to 32 for three, from where it became an uphill task for the hosts.

Adam Gilchrist, whose last appearance in Australia’s colours depended on whether his side won this match, became Kumar’s first victim, forced into edging a good length, rising away swinger. Ricky Ponting was, then, surprised by extra bounce to pull anaemically to mid-on. Michael Clarke, though, was unfortunate to get a ball that squatted unexpectedly.

Local heroes, Mathew Hayden (55) and Andrew Symonds (42) fought back - realising 89 runs for the 4th wicket - much to the delight of the 28,000 odd crowd, who, however, rather unsportingly heckled Harbhajan Singh.

Hayden escaped at five, when Mahendra Dhoni gloved a catch, which injured Tendulkar, standing at first slip, on his left shoulder. The bowler to suffer was Sreesanth, who noticeably troubled the batsmen with swing both ways as well as slower balls, as did Kumar. Dhoni bravely kept wickets, despite the discomfort of a bad back and damaged right hand.

Harbhajan, wisely, let his cricket do the talking. First, he ran out Hayden; thereafter, he trapped Symonds leg before wicket.

But the Australians bounced back from 123 for five with a partnership of 76 for the 6th wicket between Mike Hussey (44) and James Hopes, who was the last man out with a top-score of 63, which included a six at the expense of Sreesanth.

But once Hussey was caught behind off Sreesanth - a decision confirmed by the third umpire after it was referred by his field colleague, Simon Taufel — Hopes’ assignment with the tail became untenable.

In a dramatic, final over by Irfan Pathan, Nathan Bracken, who was the pick of the Australian bowlers with figures of three for 31, was caught off the second ball at extra cover, before Hopes holed out to midwicket off the fourth.

The wicket became slower and of varied bounce as the match progressed. Gautam Gambhir drilled one straight to long on off Michal Clarke. Yuvraj Singh followed by nailing one straight into the hands of midwicket off Symonds.

Tendulkar anchored the innings before he failed to chip Michael Clarke over short midwicket. He gave a half chance to short point when seven; but greeted Stuart Clarke with an on-drive and a tennis-like slam past the bowler for fours in the same over. He followed this by scorchingly off-driving Mitchell Johnson.

In his last bow in Australia, Tendulkar lost Robin Uthappa after the best 1st wicket partnership of the tournament of 94. After losing momentum a bit, he ended a drought of boundaries between the 20th and the 39th overs with a reverse sweep off Symonds.

Yuvraj opened his account with a straight six off Michael Clarke and then slog swept Symonds to midwicket for equal purchase in course of a run-a-ball 38. But India slid from 175 for two to 209 for five. But India’s total of 258 for nine, which seemed 20 runs short, proved to be adequate.

Australia:
Gilchrist c Dhoni b Praveen 2
Hayden run out 55
Ponting c Y Singh b Praveen 1
Clarke b Praveen 17
Symonds lbw b Harbhajan 42
Hussey c Dhoni b Sreesanth 44
Hopes c Chawla b Pathan 63
Lee b Praveen 7
Johnson c Dhoni b Sreesanth 8
Bracken c Chawla b Pathan 1
Clark not out 0
Extras (lb-2 w-7): 9
Total (all out, 49.4 overs): 249
FoW: 1-2, 2-8, 3-32, 4-121, 5-123, 6-199, 7-228, 8-238, 9-247, 10-249.
Bowling: Praveen 10-2-46-4, Sreesanth 9-0-43-2, Pathan 8.4-0-54-2 , Harbhajan 10-0-44-1, Chawla 9-0-45-0, Yuvraj 3-0-15-0
Man of the match: Praveen Kumar
Man of the series: Nathan Bracken.