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Australia sneak home in VBS game 1

Saturday, January 10 2004

A phenomenal allround performance from Andrew Symonds & Michael Clarke, combined with some superb feilding at the death has given Australia a hard fought 18 run win in the VB series opener.

Ricky Ponting won the toss & had no hesitation batting on an even yet slightly cracked surface, while Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly talked up his chances at the toss, saying he expected recent rain to liven up the surface.

India's bowlers managed to keep the pressure on for all of 2 overs, before Adam Gilchrist cut loose, with assistance from Matthew Hayden, the Australians racing to 50 without loss in the 8th over.

Alas, just as he was looking like making Rahul Dravid pay for dropping a difficult chance, Gilchrist's luck ran out, flicking a ball from Ajit Agarkar straight to Irfan Pathan, who took a superb catch at fine leg, the dashing keeper gone for 34.

Matthew Hayden followed 2 overs later, slashing a wide ball from Agarkar high towards gully, only for Yuvraj Singh to take an amazing leaping catch.

Damien Martyn walked to the crease after a below par test series, and his poor trot continued today as he top edged an attempted pull from the first ball he faced, Balaji taking a good catch on the rope at fine leg, suddenly the complexion of the game had changed, Ajit Agarkar once more proving Australia's nemesis.

Ricky Ponting looked in good touch during his brief stay, cutting Pathan for 4 & beginning to feel at home when a ball from Balaji slowed off the pitch & took a leading edge straight back to the bowler, the skipper out for 18 & his side now struggling at 4-89.

Andrew Symonds was anything but convincing early in his stay, slashing to no avail at Balaji's outswingers & struggling to turn the strike over.

Michael Clarke also endured an average start, being completely deceived by a Kumble wrong-un & slashing nervously through point off Balaji.

However once the pair found their feet there was no looking back, Clarke pulling Kumble for six & Symonds driving Balaji into the crowd to get the momentum flowing once more.

Symonds continued his assault, favoring the mid off region, while Clarke worked the ball into gaps with minimum fuss & used his feet superbly to Kumble.

The dashing pair, both of whom were absent from Australia's disappointing test campaign, bringing up their 100 stand from just 105 deliveries.

The carnage continued as Sourav Ganguly tried dropping short to Symonds, he was promptly dispatched over mid wicket for six in consecutive deliveries.

Just as 300 was beginning to appear well within reach, the stand of 162 from just 168 deliveries was broken, Clarke holing out off Kumble for 63 (66 balls, 6 fours, 1 six).

Michael Bevan, clearly uncomfortable with his demotion to 7 in the batting order threw his wicket away with a chip straight to Sourav Ganguly from the bowling of Virender Sehwag for just 1.

At 6-233 Australia were in danger of falling away, however Ian Harvey delivered just what the doctor ordered, his unorthodox 28 coming from just 24 deliveries.

Symonds meanwhile appeared set for a well deserved hundred, only to be brought undone by the rampant Agarkar, the Queenslander top edging a short ball straight to Anil Kumble in the deep for a well made 88 (102 balls, 5 fours, 3 sixes).

Andy Bichel was then brilliantly run out by Balaji for 1 & Harvey threw his wicket away slogging at Agarkar.

The scalp of Brad Williams gave the diminutive Mumbai seamer his 6th wicket, as well as the best bowling figures in a one day international in Australia.

Australia all out for a more than competitive 288 with 9 balls to spare, Agarkar finishing with a carear best 6-42, all the other bowlers struggled, Balaji, Kumble & Sehwag taking a wicket each.

India began superbly in the face of a brilliant spell from Jason Gillespie, the in form fast bowler posing troubles even for the great Sachin Tendulkar, however he was not given reliable support as Brad Williams was erratic at the other end.

The Indians starting slowly then finding their feet, Tendulkar dining out on the initial bursts from Andrew Bichel & Ian Harvey, Virender Sehwag seemed to loose momentum as he spent lots of time at the non strikers end, and was the first to fall, choping a wide ball on from Ian Harvey for a streaky 35.

However at 1-103 the game was well poised.

Sourav Ganguly survived a massive appeal for caught behind first ball, but went on to make the Australian bowlers pay, his off side play coming to the fore.

The introduction of Andrew Symonds paid dividends as Tendulkar pulled a ball in the air straight to skipper Ponting at mid wicket, the captain taking an excellent catch to send the worlds best batsman packing for 63 (69 balls, 8 fours, 1 six).

VVS Laxman went about his work quietly, inching India ever closer to the target, while his skipper gave the Australians the charge, flat batting Brad Williams for a straight six.
Laxman eventually fell in soft fashion, getting a leading edge to a ball from Symonds straight to Michael Clarke at cover, gone for 16.

As in the recently completed tri-series in India Ponting threw the ball to Clarke when the pressure was on, and as in India the young New South Welshman repaid his skippers faith, tempting Dravid into pulling a ball which dipped & spun, and Ian Harvey taking a simple catch at midwicket.

At 4-195 it was still anyone's game, however Yuvraj Singh & Sourav Ganguly went a long way towards changing that situation.

Ganguly keeping the scoreboard ticking with some unorthodox yet effective strokeplay, as the Indian pair steered their side into a very winnable position.

Alas just as the pendulum had seemingly swung India's way, Ian Harvey pulled it back for Australia, first enticing Yuvraj Singh into a swipe straight to Clarke at midwicket, the dasher gone for a quickfire 25, then turning & throwing brilliantly in one motion to run Ganguly out for a brilliant 82 (83 balls, 6 fours, 1 six).

Suddenly things were very much in favour of Australia & Agarkar's holing out off Gillespie for 1 did nothing to change that situation.

Sanjay Bangar succumbed to Harvey next over for 3, and Brad Williams wrapped up the match with Pathan top edging a pull to Matt Hayden & Anil Kumble chipping softly to Clarke for 5.
India all out for 270 with an over to spare.

Jason Gillespie produced a stunning exhibition of seam bowling, yet his figures of 1-50 do him no justice.

Ian Harvey picked up crucial wickets to finish with 3-52, while Andrew Symonds 2-47 combined with his 88 earlier in the day earned him man of the match honors.

A special mention must go to Michael Clarke, not only for his cool headed 63, but his 4 catches, all of which played a huge part in turning the match Australia's way.

The home side take 5 points to move to top spot on the table, they will meet Zimbabwe in Sydney on Sunday evening.

Match Summary

Australia 288 (Symonds 88, Clarke 63, Agarkar 6-42)
India 270 (Ganguly 82, Tendulkar 63, Harvey 3-52, Symonds 2-47)

Australia win by 18 runs
Man of the Match - Andrew Symonds

Posted by DavidH