Sydney: Boosted by three half centuries by middle-order batsmen Australia, who opted to bat scored 288 for the loss of five wickets in the first game of the three-match ODI series against India at the SCG here, Saturday. Peter Handscomb (73), Usman Khawaja (59) and Shaun Marsh (54) batted well while towards the end Marcus Stoinis hit a 43-ball 47 to boost the Aussie total.
Earlier skipper Aaron Finch who had opted to bat after winning the toss was cleaned up by pacer Bhuvneswar Kumar for six while the other opener Alex Carey was dismissed by chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav for 24. Khawaja was sent back by Ravindra Jadeja. Kuldeep (2/54) was the most successful bowler for India.
India are playing the game with five bowlers with Ravindra Jadeja donning the role of the all-rounder in the absence of Hardik Pandya who has been suspended and sent back to India for making sexist comments on women during a chat show last week. Along with Pandya, batsman KL Rahul has also been put on the flight to India.
Agencies
