Despite a defiant hundred from captain Ricky Ponting, Australia could not pull off an upset victory over India. M.S Dhoni’s men are favoured to meet South Africa in the final.
Tendulkar’s majestic cameo and Yuvraj hard hitting guide India’s successful chase
India raced out of the block with Sachin Tendulkar and Varinder Sehwag (15) putting on an opening partnership of 44 before Sehwag’s soft dismissal. Tendulkar (53) produced a classy innings as evidence of why he is the leading run scorer of the tournament. Compacted and composed, despite enormous pressure of expectation, the little master’s knock was a mixture of impeccable technique and classical onside play. Any time the Australian bowlers strayed on to leg stump it was money for jam for Tendulkar. His innings was in total contrast to the brute force of Yuvraj Singh (57 not out). Both men were well complemented by left-hander Gautam Gambhir (50) who nudged and deflect his way after initially struggling before he was run out by Cameron White. Virat Kohli (24) looked good until he shot himself in the foot pulling a ball straight to Michael Clarke and was quickly joined back in the pavilion by M.S Dhoni (7). In the end 260 was not enough runs to deny the Indians from progressing further in the tournament as they brought up the winning runs in the 48th over.
Shane Watson (1/37) proved why he has been Australia’s best all-round player at the 2011 World Cup. David Hussey (1/19) tried his best to prove capable back-up having replaced Steve Smith. Brett Lee (1/45) tried valiantly as he continued to show why he is one international cricket’s comeback king. However, Shaun Tait continued to be erratic, bowling too many wides and no balls - he is certainly the Jeckyl & Hyde of pace bowling. That Mitchell Johnson did not add to his wicket tally in the last three matches of the tournament will be of utmost disappointment to the brains trust.
Comes the hour, comes Ponting – still the middle order struggled to lift Australia to 260
Australia got off to a good start with Brad Haddin and Shane Watson putting on 40 for the first wicket before Watson (25) was dismissed by Ashwin. This Ponting came to the crease under enormous pressure from recent indifferent form and retirement speculation – curtsey of the British tabloid press. However, tough encounters bring out the best in the Australian skipper and his mixture of resolute defence and strong stroke play thrilled the crowd. It was the Ponting of old, as he brought up his 30th century in one day internationals – the most ever by an Australian player. He had been in defiant mood about rumblings from his critics and retirement conjecture and brought that mood to the crease. His innings of 104 included one six and six boundaries. He was aided by a quick-fire 53 by Haddin. However, the middle order proved to be as brittle has it has all tournament – Michael Clarke (8), Cameron White (12) and Michael Hussey (3) fell to Yuvraj Singh (2/44) and Zaheer Khan (2/53). David Hussey (38 not out) and Mitchell Johnson (6 not out) guided Australia to a solid – if not insurmountable – total of 260.
Some Australian players will remain in the subcontinent for the IPL while others will return home to the solace of familiar surroundings to lick their wounds. It will be interesting to see what impact the failed World Cup campaign will have in the fallout of the upcoming review into Australian cricket ordered by Cricket Australia.
The Indian brains trust will have already turned their attention to preparation for their semi final showdown with unpredictable Pakistan.
Australia - India
- R. Ponting 104 Y. Singh 57*
- B. Haddin 25 S. Tendulkar 50
- D. Hussey 38* G. Gambhir 50
Total: 6/260 Total: 5/251
Result: India won by 5 wickets
Man of the Match: Y. Singh
Umpires: M. Erasmus, I.J Gould
Third Umpire: R.A Kettleborough
Jason Webster - I am a contributing writer who has been submitting articles to Suite101.com since January – mostly to do with film and video reviews ...
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