Australia posted 293 for six in 50 overs against India, in the third one-day international at Holkar Stadium in Indore on Sunday, as middle-order crumbled yet again following the decent show at the top.
The 28-year-old right-handed batsman Marcus Stoinis remained unbeaten on 27 off 28 balls, as Ashton Agar scored nine of six deliveries.
After a rollicking start, August was pegged back by the hosts’ bowlers with some tight bowling in the death overs.
For India Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav picked two wickets each, as Yuzvendra Chahal and Hardik Pandya settled with wicket apiece.
At one stage, Australia was cruising at 243 for two when hosts slow bowlers were again in role – to tighten the grip, in a bid to pick wickets in quick succession and slow the run-rate.
After sitting out in the first two matches of the five One-day international series while nursing the calf injury, the opening batsman Aaron Finch rose to the occasion while leaving a significant impact with his bat, as he smashed eighth hundred in the 50-over format.
The 30-year-old Victorian-born top-order batsman Finch, who replaced Hilton Cartwright, played to his strength while smashing the bowlers all around the park on a surface which was hinted to be a flat-bed by pitch curator Sumandar Singh Chauhan.
The right-handed Finch played a quality innings on a belter of a surface. It’s going to be a fascinating contest later in the night when Virat Kohli-led side will chase down the target.
The Twittersphere reacted as Aaron Finch step out in style with hundred to lift struggling Australia early on in a series-saving match.
Finch trudged off the ground after scoring 124 off 125 balls when Kedhar Jadhav caught him at deep mid-wicket on the bowling of Kuldeep Yadav.
In his almost run-a-ball innings, Finch collected 12 boundaries and five maximums.
For the second-wicket, Finch alongside Captain Steven Smith forged a partnership of 154 runs – to lift the momentum and set-up the innings to carry on for the middle-order line-up at one stage.
On the final delivery of left-arm unorthodox spinner Kuldeep Yadav’s ninth over, Smith was caught by Jasprit Bumrah at long-off after scoring 63 off 71 balls.
Earlier, Steven Smith won the toss and opted to bat first while having a first look at the surface which according to him has a lot on offer for the batsmen.
While coming to the bat, opener David Warner alongside Finch gave a cautious start to Australia after unimpressive batting by the visitors’ openers when Cartwright struck alongside left-handed Warner, in Chennai and Kolkata respectively.
(Read Also: Video: MS Dhoni Completes 100 ODI Stumping For India)
Warner-Finch gave a 70-run stand for the Kangaroos in 13.3 overs, before Hardik Pandya deceived Warner on a slower one. Before being bowled, Warner scored 42 off 44 deliveries, as he smashed four boundaries and a six.
Here’s how Twitter reacted after Finch Hundred which includes many cheek tweets:
First hundred for Aaron Finch in Asia, it has been a well-calculated knock from the opener. #INDvAUS
— Nikhil Mane ??? (@nikhiltait) September 24, 2017
Aaron Finch Departs After A Brilliant 124(125). Well Bowled By Kuldeep Yadav, Thanks Kedar Jadhav For Not Dropping It.??#INDvAUS #INDvsAUS
— Sir Jadeja fan (@SirJadeja) September 24, 2017
Australia win the toss at Indore. Elect to bat first #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/XuY9OaHm9M
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 24, 2017
8th ODI hundred for Aaron Finch today. Among non-Test players only one batsman has more 100s than him. William Porterfield (9). #IndvAus
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) September 24, 2017
Aaron Finch highest score in T20I is greater than his ODI highest Score…
— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) September 24, 2017
Brilliant ? @AaronFinch5
— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) September 24, 2017
The grinch @AaronFinch5 is back. Well done buddy pic.twitter.com/bFG2TprgWq
— Brad Hodge (@bradhodge007) September 24, 2017
Here's the Virat Kohli's reaction after Aaron Finch brings up his century! #INDvAUS #INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/jfSKKz4ctV
— Akhil Babu (@Akhil7Cena) September 24, 2017
Aaron Finch and David Warner on the Indore featherbed. Now this will be fun! #IndvAus
— Shirin Sadikot (@ShirinSadikot) September 24, 2017
https://twitter.com/sid_vishy/status/911858863787302915
Most ODI 100s by non Test players
9 William Porterfield
8 Aaron Finch
5 Paul Stirling
5 Ed Joyce
5 Ryan ten Doeschate#IndvAus— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) September 24, 2017
FIFTY! Skipper @stevesmith49 brings up his half-century off 55 balls and the Aussies could be ready to unleash at 1-221 after 37 #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/Kc00X9Hsuu
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) September 24, 2017
https://twitter.com/DennisCricket_/status/911856233572794374
That's the first time in 12 matches Steve Smith has called a toss correctly. 4 x IPL, 3 x CT, 2 x Tests in B'desh & first two #INDvAUS ODIs
— Martin Smith (@martinsmith9994) September 24, 2017
First three venues of #INDvAUS ODI series:
Chennai (194)
Kolkata (264)
Indore (219)Recorded the highest individual score in ODI cricket.
— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) September 24, 2017
https://twitter.com/WisdenIndia/status/911909686969896960
Reporter -How many times did ms dhoni Stumped you?
Maxwell-#INDvAUS#Indore pic.twitter.com/LxZxfY3thM— Vicky ? (@imvicky_kalal) September 24, 2017
Kuldeep picks another biggie. Smith knew it as soon as he hit it. As I Roar that in, I saw a lightning. Did you? ?? #INDvAUS
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) September 24, 2017
https://twitter.com/BeingFlicked/status/911906157568057345
https://twitter.com/I_Atheist_/status/911902166935265280
https://twitter.com/Shahrcasm/status/911899929177550855