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Rediff.com  » Cricket » PHOTOS: Starc sends India crashing to defeat at MCG

PHOTOS: Starc sends India crashing to defeat at MCG

Last updated on: January 18, 2015 17:43 IST
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Australia beat India by four wickets in a nail-biting finish after wicket-keeper Brad Haddin and James Faulkner held their nerves to help Australia go past India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday.

Earlier, paceman Mitchell Starc captured a career-best 6-43 and Rohit Sharma hit a century as India put up a total of 267 for 8.

Check out the images from the match…

James Faulkner of Australia celebrates as he hits the winning runs during the 2nd One Day International against India during the tri-series at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday

James Faulkner of Australia celebrates as he hits the winning runs during the 2nd One Day International against India during the tri-series at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday. Photograph: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

Australia's lower order batsmen kept their calm to help the hosts get across the finish line and beat India by four wickets in the second match of the One-Day International Tri series played in Melbourne on Sunday.

- Scorecard

- 2nd ODI: Sharma in verbal spat with Aus players

Glenn Maxwell (20 off 23 deliveries), Brad Haddin (13 off 11) and James Faulkner (9 off 9) played their parts to perfection and help Australia to 269 for 6 and surpass India's total.

When the hosts replied, swashbuckling opener Aaron Finch compiled a composed 96 as Australia overwhelmed the target with one over to spare.

Aaron Finch of Australia bats

Aaron Finch of Australia bats. Photograph: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

Finch hit five fours and two sixes in his 127-ball knock but missed out on his seventh ODI century as Australia chalked up their second win in the tri-series, which also involves England.

Shane Watson (41) also began aggressively but looked desperate when boundaries stopped flowing and lost his off-stump to left-arm spinner Akshar Patel going for a slog-sweep.

Steve Smith (47), who punished India in the preceding four-test series, continued to trouble them, once again exposing the visitors' bowling limitations with his century stand with Finch.

From 216-2, Australia lost four quick wickets to inject fresh excitement in the contest but eventually prevailed when James Faulkner hit the winning boundary off Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

India's Rohit Sharma celebrates as he reaches his century during the 2nd One-Day International against Australia during their tri-series at the Melbourne Cricket Ground  on Sunday

India's Rohit Sharma celebrates as he reaches his century during the 2nd One-Day International against Australia during their tri-series at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday. Photograph: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

Earlier, India's world record holder Rohit Sharma gave Australia's bowlers an insight into his intentions ahead of the World Cup when he smashed a century in the second match of the tri-series at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday.

Sharma did not threaten the record 264 he blasted in a One Day International against Sri Lanka last year but the Indian opener still made an ominous 138 at almost a run-a-ball.

The 27-year-old contributed more than half of India's imposing total of 267 for eight with only Suresh Raina scoring at least 20 on a good batting pitch.

Mitchell Starc of Australia celebrates after dismissing Axar Patel of India

Mitchell Starc of Australia celebrates after dismissing Axar Patel of India. Photograph: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

The Indians might have scored more but were pegged back by a late batting collapse with Australian paceman Mitchell Starc capturing six wickets.

India slumped to 59-3 inside the first 13 overs. Opener Shikhar Dhawan (2) was removed in the first over of the innings, caught at second slip off Starc.

Rahane (12) then came out at the fall of the first wicket. He put on 30 runs for the 2nd wicket with Rohit, the two scoring along at 4.64 runs per over.

Gurinder Sandhu of Australia celebrates with his teammates after dismissing Ajinkya Rahane of India

Gurinder Sandhu of Australia celebrates with his teammates after dismissing Ajinkya Rahane of India. Photograph: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

Just as they were beginning to look comfortable at the crease, Australia’s paceman Gurinder Sandhu (1-58) had Rahane caught behind by ’keeper Brad Haddin.

That brought Virat Kohli (9) to the crease but he miscued a pull-shot off James Faulkner (1/63) and was caught easily by skipper George Bailey at mid-on.

Thereafter, Sharma and Raina set about rebuilding the innings. They added 126 for the fourth wicket with Raina making a composed 51 off 63 balls, featuring six boundaries.

 Rohit Sharma of India hits a boundary

Rohit Sharma of India hits a boundary enroute his century. Photograph: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

The fall of a wicket (Raina) early in the powerplay meant only 19 runs came off it, even as Dhoni (19) and Rohit looked to up the scoring rate.

Sharma registered his sixth ODI hundred, and his first at the MCG, which will host this year's World Cup final.

Sharma's 138 came off 139 deliveries and was highlighted by nine boundaries and four sixes. He only departed in the penultimate over when he mistimed a full toss from Starc and holed out to Glenn Maxwell at midwicket.

Pat Cummins of Australia spills a catch

Pat Cummins of Australia spills a catch. Photograph: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Starc cleaned bowled Bhuvneshwar Kumar for a golden duck but missed out on a hat-trick and finished with career-best figures of 6-43 after claiming four wickets in Friday's tournament opener against England.

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