Opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan struck a fine century as India beat Australia by 36 runs in Sunday’s World Cup fixture at The Oval in London.
- Dhawan’s 17th ODI century
- Warner uncharacteristically slow
- India’s 50th ODI win over Australia
The result pushed India from seventh to fourth position in the 2019 tournament’s 10-team standings. Australia remained third, behind leaders New Zealand and second-placed England. India and New Zealand are now the only unbeaten teams at this World Cup.
Dhawan’s 117, which spanned 109 deliveries and featured 16 fours and no sixes, propelled India to a final total of 352 for five. Fellow opening batsman Rohit Sharma became the fourth cricketer to score 2000 ODI runs against the Australians, after countryman Sachin Tendulkar and West Indians Desmond Haynes and Sir Vivian Richards.
Australia’s insufficient response ended on 316 all out, despite promising starts from the top five batsmen. Each of openers David Warner and Aaron Finch – and middle-order men Usman Khawaja, Steven Smith and Glenn Maxwell – reached 28. None, though, managed more than Smith’s 69.
Warner’s advance to 50 was uncharacteristically slow – and required 70-plus deliveries for a second time in this World Cup. His half-ton against Afghanistan was also sluggish.
Seamer Bhuvneshwar’s return to the attack proved particularly telling, as Smith and all-rounder Marcus Stoinis were removed in quick succession. Their departures all but spelled the beginning of the end. Despite a late salvo from wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Carey, who struck the quickest half-century in this World Cup from 25 deliveries, India welcomed a 50th ODI victory over the Aussies.
Australia’s next match will be against Pakistan in Taunton on Tuesday. India will face New Zealand in Nottingham on Wednesday. Monday will see South Africa clash with the West Indies in Southampton.
Photo: Getty Images
