Ind Vs Aus 2nd ODI: Australia Beat India
Australia clinch a thrilling victory, securing the series after a tense chase in front of a packed crowd.
Matthew Short and Cooper Connolly struck fluent fifties as Australia clinched the three-match ODI series with a convincing two-wicket win over India in the second game, here on Thursday.
Put in to bat, India posted a modest 264 for nine despite skipper Rohit Sharma's return to form with a 97-ball 73 (7x4, 2x6). Shreyas Iyer contributed 61while Adam Zampa got 4 for 60. Xavier Bartlett took 3 for 39 including Virat Kohli for a duck.
In reply, Australia chased down the target with more than three overs to spare with Connolly remaining unbeaten on a 53-ball 61 (5x4, 1x6).
India now trail the series 0-2, giving Australia an unassailable lead going into the final ODI in Sydney on Saturday.
Brief Scores:
India: 264/9; 50 overs (Rohit Sharma 73, Shreyas Iyer 61, Axar Patel 44; Adam Zampa 4/60, Xavier Bartlett 3/39) lost to Australia 265/8; 46.2 overs (Matthew Short 74, Cooper Connolly Washington Sundar 2/37, Arshdeep Singh 2/41, Harshit Rana 2/59) by two wickets.
Mitchell Starc out caught by Axar Patel off Mohammed Siraj for 4 (7).
A soft dismissal as Starc mistimed a shot, and Axar took a comfortable catch.
Australia now 255/8.
After 45 overs, Australia 255/7.
A low-scoring but eventful over from Arshdeep Singh conceding 3 runs (1 Wd 1 W 0 0 0), including a wicket.
Mitchell Starc is now at the crease on 0 (3), while Cooper Connolly moves to 56 (50).
Singh’s figures: 8-0-36-2.
Xavier Bartlett out caught by Gill off Arshdeep Singh for 3 (5).
Bartlett tried to slog a back-of-length ball outside off, but got a top-edge, and Gill took a sharp catch at mid-off.
Australia now 252/7.
A tight over from Mohammed Siraj, conceding just 4 runs (1 1 0 2 0 0).
Cooper Connolly moves to 55 (49), and Xavier Bartlett is on 2 (3).
Siraj’s figures: 9-0-44-0.
A tricky over from Washington Sundar — 5 runs (1 1 Wd W 0 1 1) and a crucial wicket.
Cooper Connolly moves to 52 (44), but Australia lose a wicket — Mitchell Owen is out, caught or bowled off Sundar.
Xavier Bartlett comes to the crease on 1 (2).
Sundar’s figures: 7-0-37-2.
A strong over from Mohammed Siraj, conceding 14 runs (6 0 1 L1 4 2).
Cooper Connolly reaches a well-deserved 50 (42) — his first half-century!
Mitchell Owen is on 35 (21).
Siraj’s figures now read 8-0-40-0.
A quick-fire over from Axar Patel, leaking 13 runs (1 0 1 1 4 6)!
Mitchell Owen moves to 35 (20), and Cooper Connolly is on 37 (37).
Axar Patel’s figures: 10-0-52-1.
Harshit Rana concedes 9 runs this over (6 0 1 Wd 0 0 1).
Cooper Connolly on 35 (35) and Mitchell Owen advancing to 24 (16).
Harshit Rana’s figures: 8-0-59-2.
A lively over from Harshit Rana going for 14 runs (1 4 2 6 0 1)!
Cooper Connolly moves to 33 (30), while Mitchell Owen is looking good on 15 (9).
Harshit Rana’s bowling figures now read 7-0-50-2.
A quiet over from Axar Patel conceding just 3 runs (0 1 2 0 0 0).
Cooper Connolly continues steadily on 32 (29), while the new batter Mitchell Owen is at the crease on 2 (4).
Axar Patel’s figures: 8-0-36-1.