Smith continues to battle it out, keeps Australia in the hunt
London: David Warner (56, 84b, 5×4) fell to Yuzvendra Chahal, but Steve Smith (54 batting) continued his good form with the bat as Australia reached 187 for two after the end of the 35 overs. Smith and Usman Khawaja (28 batting) have so far added 54 runs for the third wicket to keep Australia in the reckoning. Australia now need to score at a rate of little over 11 runs per over, difficult but not impossible keeping in mind the firepower they possess in the form of Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis and Nathan Coulter-Nile.
Warner, Smith lead Australian charge
London: Despite losing the wicket of skipper Aaron Finch (36) who was run out, Australia were maintaining a rate of close to five runs per over in their chase of the victory target of 353 runs against India at the Oval here Sunday. David Warner (45 batting) and former captain Steve Smith (14 batting) were batting well as Indian bowlers tried their best to restrict them. At the end of the 20th over, Australia had reached 99 for one.
India post imposing 352 for 5 in World Cup game against Australia
London: Shikhar Dhawan’s ((117, 109b, 17×4) brilliant knock and fine half centuries by skipper Virat Kohli (82, 77b, 4×4, 2×6) and his deputy Rohit Sharma (57, 70b, 3×4, 1×6) helped India post an imposing 352 for five in 50 overs in their World Cup encounter against Australia at the Oval here Sunday. Also some late fireworks by Hardik Pandya (48, 27b, 4×4, 3×6) and Mahendra Singh Dhoni (27, 14b, 3×4, 1×6) propelled India towards the 350-run mark.
Electing to bat, the Indians were always in control after Dhawan and Rohit put up a 127-run opening wicket partnership. Then Kohli, who began slowly, took over the mantle of controlling the innings hitting the Aussie bowlers to all parts of the ground.
But then India’s task will also be cut out on this flat pitch. Their bowlers will have to really bowl well to the control the Aussies who have some very good power-hitters in Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Aaron Finch and not to forget the workmanlike Steve Smith.
Brief Scores: India 352 for 5 in 50 overs: (Shikhar Dhawan 117, Virat Kohli 82, Rohit Sharma 57, Hardik Pandya 48).
India lose Dhawan, Hardik Pandya promoted up the order
London: Shikhar Dhawan (117, 109b, 17×4) posted his 17th ODI hundred before being dismissed by Mitchell Starc in the 37th over of the innings at the Oval here Sunday. The left-handed opener trying to hit Starc out of the ground holed out to substitute Nathan Lyon at the mid-wicket fence. India at the end of the 37th over were 220 for two with skipper Virat Kohli batting on 43
India lose Rohit Sharma, but Dhawan keeps runs ticking
London: In spite of the dismissal of Rohit Sharma (57, 70b, 3×4, 1×6), India continued to pile up the runs through Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli against Australia at the Oval here Sunday. At the end of the 30th over India were 170 for one. Dhawan (96 batting, 89b, 13×4) was at the crease along with skipper Kohli (13 batting).
Openers put up century stand
London: Openers Shikhar Dhawan (62 batting, 60b, 9×4) and Rohit Sharma ( 46 batting, 60b, 2×4, 1×6) put India in a position of command with a rollicking century stand against Australia in their ICC World Cup encounter at the Oval here Sunday. Starting off in a circumspect manner, the two opened up and the runs flowed on a sunny afternoon here after Virat Kohli won the toss and opted to bat. There were apprehensions about Dhawan’s form coming into the game, but the left-hander put all the worry to rest with his 28th ODI half century. None of the Australian bowlers including pace spearhead Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins could make an impression on the Indian openers. At the end of the 20 overs India were 111 without loss.
India off to a sedate start
London: India got off to a sedate start after Virat Kohli won the toss and opted to bat against Australia in the ICC World Cup game between the two sides at the Oval here, Sunday. After 10 overs India were 41 without loss with Sikhar Dhawan (27 batting) and Rohit Sharma (11 batting) at the crease. Australia have so far used all their three fast men in Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Coulter-Nile. Off the three, Cummins was definitely the most impressive as he went past the edges of both the Indian openers a number of times. Dhawan has so far hit four boundaries while Rohit is yet to notch up one.
India win the toss, opt to bat
London: India will face Australia in the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup at The Oval here, Sunday in what is expected to be a mouthwatering clash.
Indian skipper Virat Kohli won the toss and opted to bat first.
“It’s a good track, but it’s a used surface, so best conditions to bat and put runs on the board. The bowling attack can get into the attack in the second half. The batsmen chasing will be wary, and scoreboard pressure may count. It’s been overcast everywhere, but today it’s sunny, so no brainer to bat first. We think the pitch will play nicely. At the Oval, when the sun is out, you invariably bat first. No change because we have depth and balance. Team is in good spirits,” said Kohli.
“I would have batted first, same reasons as Virat,” said Australian captain Aaron Finch. “A winning run (of 10 games straight) helps with the confidence, but in a World Cup you’re playing different teams so not like a bilateral. Different kind of pressure. Going with the same XI, and we are confident of it despite not a superb game in Nottingham against West Indies.”
Teams
India: Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli (Captain), Lokesh Rahul, MS Dhoni(w), Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah
Australia: David Warner, Aaron Finch (Captain), Usman Khawaja, Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey(w), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa
PNN