Australia vs India, 1st ODI: Ton-up Finch and Smith excel
Australian batsmen hammered the Indian bowlers to post a commanding 374/6 in the first ODI at the SCG on Friday. Skipper Aaron Finch (114) and Steve Smith scored respective centuries. They were backed by David Warner's 69 and Glenn Maxwell's brisk 19-ball 45. For India, Mohammed Shami was pick of the bowlers. Here is the mid innings match report.
Australian batsmen make merry against India
Australian openers Warner and Finch added 156 runs for the opening wicket to set the platform. After Warner's dismissal, Finch found company in the form of Smith. The two added 108 runs for the second wicket to deflate the Indian bowlers. Smith continued his march and brought up his century. In between, Maxwell tore apart the Indian bowlers, slamming five fours and three sixes.
Australia's front three in commanding mode against India
Australia's top three batsmen were ominous against India and approached the innings with a lot of positivity. They hit a total of 32 boundaries between them. Warner brought up his 22nd fifty in ODIs, with a calculated innings. Skipper Finch was a delight and brought up his 17th century, besides going past 5,000 ODI runs. Smith hit his 10th career ODI ton as well.
India were poor on the field at the SCG
The Indian players were poor on the field, dropping a few catches, besides accounting for numerous misfields. The bowling too was inconsistent and Australia cashed in. Mohammed Shami (3/59) was the only one who impressed. It was a poor outing for Yuzvendra Chahal, who was smashed for 89 runs from his 10 overs. Navdeep Saini and Jasprit Bumrah were on the expensive side.
Maxwell shines after a disappointing IPL campaign
Maxwell was roped in by Kings XI Punjab to do what he does best, However, the aggressive batsman failed miserably in the recently concluded IPL 2020 campaign. The senior player showed his usual self though as he enjoyed a strike rate of 236.84.
