Reuters
Canberra, Jan 20: Paceman Kane Richardson (5/68) claimed his maiden five-wicket haul to script India’s spectacular collapse and bowl Australia to a 25-run victory in the high-scoring fourth ODI at the Manuka Oval here Wednesday. The win helped the hosts take a 4-0 lead in the five-match ODI series.
Three batsmen struck centuries in the 671-run match between the world’s top two one-day teams but it was Richardson’s incisive bowling that clinched the contest, while also earning him the man of the match award.
Chasing 349 for victory, India were cruising at 277 for one before losing their last nine wickets for 46 runs to succumb to their fourth successive defeat. Opener Shikhar Dhawan (126, 113b, 14×4, 2×6) and Virat Kohli (106, 92b, 11×4, 1×6) featured in a 212-run stand for the second wicket before the wheels came off India’s chase. When Dhawan fell, caught at point by George Bailey off John Hastings (2/50), India need 72 off 75 balls, but they lost the plot immediately with skipper MS Dhoni back in the hut three balls later.
From 277 for one, India were reduced to 278 for four when Kohli, the quickest to 25 centuries, fell in the next over caught by rival skipper Steve Smith off Richardson. India then faced a meltdown as Australia who were down and out suddenly found themselves back in the game.
For them, in-form Ajinkya Rahane came out to bat despite a split webbing of his fingers, but could score only two as India were all out for 323 in the final over.
Earlier, Aaron Finch (107b, 9×4, 2×6) struck his seventh hundred in a blistering opening partnership of 187 with David Warner (92b, 12×4, 1×6) to power Australia to 348 for eight wickets.
Australia had chased down each Indian target to take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series and the tourists’ battered bowlers did little better after finally getting the chance to bowl first.
Warner, who missed the last two matches due to the birth of his second child, started off with a maiden against Umesh Yadav but soon hit his stride with three fours in an over against seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
Yadav also conceded three boundaries in the next over against the diminutive left-hander as Australia raced to 50 in the seventh over.
Finch was equally destructive and a fierce straight drive from the right-hander off fast bowler Ishant Sharma (4/77), hit umpire Richard Kettleborough on the shin, forcing the official off the field.
Finch mistimed a pull to be dismissed eight overs after Warner had played Ishant on to his stumps while attempting a slog over mid-wicket.
Australia captain Steven Smith (51, 29b, 4×4, 3×6) and all-rounders Mitchell Marsh (33) and Glenn Maxwell (41) chipped in with some quick runs.