Photographs: Reuters
Opener Tim Paine hit a half-century to help his team fightback after the early dismissal of Shane Watson during the first one-day international against India in Vadodara, on Sunday.
Watson scored five before he was trapped leg before wicket by Ashish Nehra in the second over of the innings.
Paine, playing in his first match in India, hit 50, inclusive of nine boundaries in his 62-ball knock, adding 97 runs in 107 deliveries for the second wicket with captain Ricky Ponting.
Australia went on to win the match by four runs.
Ponting solid and sure
After a steady start, Ponting announced himself with back-to-back boundaries off Praveen Kumar in the ninth over of the innings. The first one was lofted over mid-wicket, while the next was a cracking drive through the cover region.
In the next over, he danced down the wicket and despatched a short delivery from Nehra over the fine leg boundary for the first six of the innings.
Part-timer Ravindra Jadeja dismissed him, trapped leg before wicket, after a fine innings of 74 from 85 deliveries.
Hussey hoists the Aussies
Michael Hussey dismissed doubts about his place in the Australian team with a blazing innings of 73 from 54 deliveries.
The left-hander smashed eight boundaries and a six to help Australia post a mammoth 292 for 8 in their 50 overs.
Model drinks break
Models serve drinks to the Australian batsmen during a drinks break.
The Batting Powerplay, taken after 42 overs, went horribly wrong for Australia as they lost three wickets for 33 runs in those five overs.
Brave attempt by Jadeja
Jadeja dives to try and stop a shot from Cameron White.
White completed his half-century off 65 deliveries, inclusive of three boundaries and a six, in the 42nd over. After a quiet start, White blossomed to help Australia seize the momentum in the final part of the innings.
But Nehra spoiled their plans by claiming the important wicket of White for 51. The right-hander tried to loft Nehra down the ground but got a leading edge and was taken by Suresh Raina at mid-off running to his right.
Over and above Nehra
Nehra leaps in an unsuccessful attempt to catch Ponting at the boundray line. The ball flew over his head for a six.
Ishant bowled the perfect final over for India, conceding just one run before bowling Brett Lee with a yorker off the last ball.
Lee was bowled for a three-ball duck, while Johnson finished unbeaten on 14 from eight deliveries, as Australia ended on 292 for eight in their 50 overs.
Ishant produced the best bowling figures for India, claiming three for 50 in his ten overs. Nehra took two for 58.
Praveen Kumar struggled to find his rhythm and was carted for 77 runs in his ten overs and Harbhajan also disappointed with just one for 57 in ten overs.
Well-done Watson!
Shane Watson is congratulated by Ponting after claiming the wicket of Sachin Tendulkar.
Virender Sehwag threatened briefly with a quick 13 before he was scalped by Brett Lee, while Sachin Tendulkar was caught by Ponting in the covers off Watson for 14 from 29 balls.
Johnson ends Gambhir's fight
Mitchell Johnson celebrates after dismissing Gautam Gambhir (not in pic) as Mahendra Singh Dhoni looks on.
India took the Batting Powerplay early, at the start of the 35th over, but the gamble backfired. Johnson dealt India's chances a huge blow when he trapped Gambhir leg before wicket. The left-hander missed a low full toss as he tried to play across the line and was dismissed after a fine innings of 68 from 85 deliveries, inclusive of six boundaries and a six.
Harbhajan heroics not enough
Just when it looked as it was all over for the home side, Harbhajan Singh and Pravenn Kumar threw all caution to the wind and put bat on ball to bad deliveries from Watson and Peter Siddle. Suddenly it rained fours and sixes and equation changed dramatically.
However, with nine needed from the last over, Siddle ended whatever hopes the Indians may have entertained with the dismissal of Harbhajan, who added 84 runs in just 57 deliveries for the eighth wicket with Kumar.
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