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Unseasonal rain forced a premature end to the fourth one-dayer after 4.1 overs of India's chase, in the eastern Indian city of Ranchi yesterday. |
Chasing Australia's imposing 295, India were 27 for no loss after 4.1 overs when rain intervened for the second time in the match, and it never allowed the players to come out of their dressing rooms again. The visitors are leading 2-1 in the seven-match series.
Before the damp end, George Bailey and Glenn Maxwell had revived Australia from 32 for 3 with a massive fifth-wicket stand following fast bowler Mohammed Shami's opening burst.
However, their dismissals in the batting Powerplay robbed the visitors of a 300-plus total for the first time in the series, albeit narrowly. Bailey and Maxwell added 153 in 22.4 overs but after both fell in their nineties to Vinay Kumar, Australia's lower order was able to add only 57 in the last 10 overs.
Shami's sharp first spell had challenged Australia for the first time in the series with the new ball. The attack, however, lacked the same intensity afterwards.
India also put down five catches, and only a couple of them were tough takes. Bailey was put down first ball off Shami by Virat Kohli at third slip, and on 35 by R Ashwin off Vinay, both takeable chances.
Maxwell was dropped on 44 by Yuvraj Singh off Jaydev Unadkat, a rather difficult diving opportunity at point, before MS Dhoni reprieved him on 69 behind the stumps off Suresh Raina.
Bailey went on to make his third half-century of the series and India were fortunate to see his back two short of a century, when he top-edged a Vinay long hop. Maxwell kicked on from the cameos he has been getting to inflict punishment on India with a 77-ball 92 before falling lbw.
After India sent the duo back, Dhoni didn't give the ball to any of his seamers, opting for spin for nine of the last 10 overs before he brought back Shami for the last one. Australia 's lower order, tied down by Raina and Ravindra Jadeja, promptly took 12 off it, despite atleast three deliveries finding the blockhole.
Brief scores
Australia 295-8 in 50 overs (G Bailey 98, G Maxwell 92; Md Shami 3/42) vs India 27-0 in 4.1 overs