Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
ADELAIDE,( Australia ): Rapid centuries by Glenn Maxwell and David Warner lifted Australia to a 106-run win over India in a warmup match Sunday that built up its prospects for the Cricket World Cup while leaving India winless in the dry Australian summer.
Maxwell slammed 122 from 57 balls before retiring and Warner hit 104 from 83 deliveries as Australia made 371 in 48.2 overs after winning the toss and batting. India was all out for 265 in 45.1 overs in reply.
Australia is the world’s top-ranked one-day side and World Cup favorite and the all round quality of its performance Sunday helped substantiate that billing.
India’s World Cup prospects appear bleak as it remained without a win in three tests and five one-day matches in Australia this summer while losing veteran fast bowler Ishant Sharma to a knee injury.
Warner set the tempo for the first half of the Australian innings with a century from 80 balls and Maxwell accelerated later, reaching his hundred from 53 balls — the second 50 coming from only 19 deliveries.
Maxwell rushed on to 122, retiring after hitting three consecutive sixes from the bowling of Umesh Yadava in an over that claimed a wicket and cost 27 runs.
“It’s nice to be hitting the ball really well coming to a massive tournament like this,” Maxwell said. “One more practice to go and then hopefully I hit the tournament running with lots of runs and in a good head space.”
India bowled well enough late in the innings to prevent Australia reaching 400. After his savage welcome at Warner’s hands, Shami recovered strongly to dismiss George Bailey (44), Mitchell Johnson (19) and Pat Cummings (5) to finish with 3-83.
Ajinkya Rahane made 66 and Shikhar Dhawan 59 as India was dismissed in reply. While Rahane and Dhawan were together, in a 104-run partnership for the third wicket, India was scoring at just behind the run rate needed to threaten Australia’s total.
But when both were out within 15 runs between the 25th and 29th overs, India’s challenge faltered. India captain M.S. Dhoni suffered the indignity of a first-ball duck caught by Mitchell Starc from the bowling of Pat Cummins, one ball after Suresh Raina was run out, to effectively end India’s bid for a drought-breaking win.
Ambati Rayudu made 53 as India’s last hope but he was out at 254-8 in the 42 over, with 118 still needed for victory.
Shane Watson returned to the Australia lineup Sunday after recent hamstring problems while captain Michael Clarke remains on track to play in Australia’s second World Cup group match against Bangladesh on Feb. 21.
