Warner, Richardson hand Australia consolation victory

Australia finally ended their winless streak away from home by upstaging India in the fourth game of one-day series played at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. Before the game it looked as if India would again come up trumps as hosts came from behind to win all first three games. David Warner led the way with a blazing ton to see Australia post 335 runs on the board.

The left-handed batsman had a string of low scores coming into the contest and took full use of the conditions to produce a splendid century in his 100^th game for Australia.Australia managed to win the game by 21 runs to put an end to their poor record away from home in limited overs cricket.

David Warner and Aaron Finch batted superbly to put a big partnership of 231 runs in 35 overs. Australia were all set to score beyond 350 runs from their 50 overs. Warner brought up his 14^th century in 103 balls and played a much sedate role as compared to Finch who went after the bowlers from the start. Warner and Finch broke the previous best for Australia in terms of best opening partnerships. The record they surpassed was set by David Boon and Geoff Marsh who produced 212 against India in a one-day game in 1986.

Mohammad Shami and Umesh Yadav were smashed all around the park as Australia made full use of the first 10 overs. Steven Smith’s decision to bat first was right as Warner and Finch got them off to a great start.

Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal also could not contain the flow of runs produced by the opening pair of Finch and Warner who never put the gas off the pedal. Warner smashed anything loose offered by the spinners. Finch played well and rotated the strike beautifully to never allow the Indian bowlers to get back into the contest.

Australia lost their way a bit after departure of Aaron Finch and David Warner but Travis Head and Peter Handscomb played vital knocks to see the side push their beyond 300-run mark. Handscomb scored 43 runs off 30 balls while Head scored 29 runs off 38 balls to put on 53-run stand. Marcus Stoinis played a nice cameo as Australia took 28 runs off the last two overs of the innings.

India started the chase in the right manner as Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane put on 100-run stand. Kane Richardson proved to be the standout bowler for Australia as he picked up three wickets to see Australia edge out India by 21 runs. Hardik Pandya once again chipped in with 41 runs but this time could steer his side across the finish line as Zampa dismissed him at crucial stage of the game.

Rohit Sharma was run-out courtesy of a brilliant fielding produced by Australian captain Steven Smith to turn the game in favor of his side. Virat Kohli must take the blame after his misjudgment saw Sharma walk back to the pavilion in sheer anger and disappointment. Kedhar Jadhav scored 67 runs but India were always behind in the game as Richardson and co. took crucial wickets at the end to see India fall 21 runs short of the target.

David Warner was named man of the match for his blistering century as fifth and final game of the one-day series will be played on 1^st October in Nagpur.