Bengaluru: A well-played century by opener David Warner (124) and Aaron Finch’s 94 on Thursday powered visitors Australia to a mammoth total of 334-5 from 50 overs in the fourth ODI against Virat Kohli’s Team India at the M Chinaswamy stadium here.
Warner and Finch got the Aussies off to a strong start, having put up a 231-run partnership for the first wicket. Centurion Warner, however, was the first one to depart as Kedar Jadhav got his wicket, thanks to a good catch by Axar Patel at long on. Aaron Finch (94), who missed out on his ninth ODI century, was the next to depart, as pacer Umesh Yadav got his 100th ODI wicket.
Peter Handscomb, too, contributed 43 runs before he was struck by Umesh Yadav. However, captain Steve Smith could not continue his consistent run as he was dismissed for just three runs, thanks to a spectacular catch by Virat Kohli off Umesh Yadav’s bowling.
In the Indian bowling department, Umesh Yadav was the pick of the bowlers after having picked up four crucial wickets. Apart from Yada, Kedar Jadhav was the lone wicket-taker for the Men in Blue.
Virat Kohli and co will hope to chase down the challenging total of 335 in order to extend their unbeaten run, and extend the series lead as well.
Australia 319/5 from 48.5 overs:
WICKET! 4th wicket for Umesh Yadav as he ends Peter Handscomb’s vigil The Australian scored 43 off 30 balls to deny India a chance to run through the Australian lower middle-order and help Australia to go past 320-run mark.
(Agencies)
