DLF Cup match abandoned

A promising contest between Australia and India was cut short by frequent rain interruptions and slippery conditions due to constant drizzle.

The heavy skies in Kuala Lumpur at the start of the match and the possibility of rain-interruptions ensured that when Australia won the toss they elected to bat.

Australia were slow to get going in their innings, taking six overs before the opening pair of Shane Watson and Phil Jaques scored a boundary. Jaques who was eventually out in the 10th over for 25 from 25 balls proved to be a good combination with Watson.

After an early chance, Watson held down one end while his partners came and went. Ponting started aggressively before pulling a ball from Pathan straight down the throat of Sachin Tendulkar to be out for 20. Martyn was out cheaply for four.

Watson was eventually out after hitting a sparkling 79 with 10 fours and two sixes to record his highest ODI score. He was ably supported by the only other Australian scorer of note, Michael Clarke, who hit 64

Once Watson was out Harbhajan Singh and Munaf Patel produced an economical display of bowling and the flow of runs dried up.

Australia were all out for 244 runs from 49.2 overs.

India required a run rate of 4.95 to win the match.

Mitchell Johnson and Glenn McGrath shared the new ball for Australia and were soon involved in an absorbing battle with Indian openers Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid. McGrath began accurately with a maiden first over. His first ball to Tendulkar hit him on the helmet as he ducked into the ball. He was well supported at the other end by Johnson who bowled tightly.

Just as an absorbing battle between McGrath and Tendulkar started to take shape, the heavens opened and the players scurried from the field.

The match was then shortened using the Duckworth-Lewis formula and at that stage, India needed another 154 runs to win from just 24 overs.

When play resumed, Mitchell Johnson dismissed Rahul Dravid and Irfan Pathan in the first over.

Johnson in two overs then virtually ended India’s chase. He took four wickets in the space of twelve balls. The needless run-out of Sehwag worsened the situation.

The wickets were falling for India, and so was the rain. India were 35-5. Yet another rain delay and both teams left the field, with the match eventually being abandoned.

Australia would have been encouraged by the batting performance of new opener Shane Watson, and the outstanding bowling performance of next generation fast bowler Mitchell Johnson. India would have been happy with the economical performance of bowlers Patel and Singh to restrict a rampant Austalia when they were starting to look dangerous.

The next match in the DLF Cup is on Monday when Australia meet the West Indies.

Australia 244 (49.2)
Shane Watson 79 (74), Michael Clarke 64 (94)
Munaf Patel 3-53 (10), Harbhajan Singh 2-26 (10)

No result. Match abandoned due to rain

India 35-5 (8)
Sachin Tendulkar 12 (17)
Mitchell Johnson 4-11 (4)