The opening duo of Aaron Finch and David Warner looked in top-notch form today and laid a solid platform for their side to rack up a good total. The pair added 231 runs for the first wicket and successfully made India re-think their bowling approach for the first time in this series.
The performance from the attacking right-hand – left-hand combination can be called as a proper thrashing of bowlers today. It was a display of carefree cricket combined with a calculative approach which began with Finch hitting Shami for a boundary off the second delivery in the opening over.
The two took centre stage very quickly. For once, it seemed they were competing with each other in a boundary hitting contest although there were instances where both Umesh and Shami tried to pull the string. But, it proved difficult to bring them under control.
The introduction of spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Axar Patel was expected to bring some relief, but nothing special happened with that move as well as Warner and Finch continued to flourish.
Soon, Warner raced to his hundred, completing it off the 4th ball in the 31st over. Thus, making him the first Australian to score a century in 100th ODI. A ball later, the 200 runs stand was also brought up.
Things took a slightly nasty turn for Australia. Following the end of the humongous opening stand, Australia suffered a slump as they went on to lose Aaron Finch and skipper Steven Smith in quick succession. Umesh Yadav was the benefactor on both occasions
Finch followed Warner back to the pavilion just after five deliveries from the latter’s dismissal. The right-hander tried to clear the ball in the long on region but mistimed it very badly which ended up as an easy catch for Hardik Pandya standing at mid-on. This misadventure also meant that he fell six runs short of following centuries.
An over later, Smith’s stay was cut short as well. He can also be blamed for making a poor decision. It was cheeky dismissal where he just flicked the ball off his pads straight to Kohli at mid-wicket.
Luckily, things didn’t turn worse from bad as Travis Head, and Peter Handscomb handled mini – collapse brilliantly and carried the innings forward. The two committed no error and swiftly took Australia past the 300 runs mark.
However, Umesh another double blow to the opposition after he removed both the settled men in the 47th and 49th over respectively to hurt the run rate a bit. But, Marcus Stoinis, with the help of his short cameo of 15 from nine balls, ensured that there was no late climax.