Super Duper Sunday: India wins first final

It's super duper Sunday as India seniors and the colts battle it out abroad to make history. In the first final of one-day cricket tri-series, India has won the first final against Australia in the Survivor series by 6 wickets powered by a brilliant unbeaten century from the master blaster Sachin Tendulkar. Tendulkar scored his 1st century in Australia and remained unbeaten as he guided India to victory.

Australia had set a target of 240 runs, which the Indians achieved in just 46 overs. The Indian innings was anchored by a superb 123 run partnership between Rohit Sharma and Sachin Tendulkar after the Indians were in a spot of bother after Yuvraj Singh was dismissed. Rohit Sharma gave the master good support as he matched Tendulkar stroke for stroke in his innings of 66. The Indians now need to continue this momentum to Brisbane, where they play their 2nd final on Tuesday (March 4)

Openers Sachin Tendulkar and Robin Uthappa put on a 50 run partnership, before Uthappa was brilliantly caught by Michael Hussey for 17. While a little later, Gautam Gambhir was found falling short of his crease in a terrible mix-up with Sachin Tendulkar.

Yuvraj Singh's struggle with the bat continued before the southpaw was foxed by Brad Hogg at 10. Sachin Tendulkar along with Rohit Sharma have got India back into the chase by putting together over 70- run stand for fourth wicket. Rohit Sharma went back to the pavillion after scoring a fine half century with master blaster scoring another one-day century.

Sachin Tendulkar has been declared as the 'Man of the Match'

Earlier during the day, in the first final of one-day cricket tri-series between India and Australia in Sydney, Australian batsman consolidated their position after an early slump at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday (March 2).

Australia had put on a competitve total after a disastrous start saw them losing their first 3 wickets in just 6 overs. Matthew Hayden and Andrew Symonds then repaired the innings as they put on a quick 100-run partnership for the 4th wicket.

Captain Dhoni's move to introduce spin worked well as Harbhajan Singh had his revenge dismissing both Hayden and Symonds in quick succession.Piyush Chawla who made his debut in the series bowled well without much success.

However, the Australian lower-order put on valuable runs as Michael Hussey, James Hopes and Brad Hogg took the total to 239 in 50 overs.

The Indian batsman will now have to play well as a sluggish Sydney pitch will be difficult to score on.



Sachin powers India's win:

Sydney match belonged to Sachin Tendulkar, who powered India to an emphatic win with a magnificent unbeaten century. In the past, master blaster had been in the firing line for a string of failures, however, on Sunday (March 2), the Sachin batted like a man on a mission. Initially, he scored half century steadying the Indian innings and keeping team India's goal on track in their run-chase.

With this century, Tendulkar has finally reached his 42nd one-day hundered. However, this one was special since it was his first one in Australia, something that had eluded the master in his 19-year long cricket career. Ironically, this match-winning knock will silence his critics for questioning his abilities as a batsman.


Brief Scores:

Australia -- 239 for 8 in 50 overs (M Hayden 82, M Hussey 45; H Singh 2/38, P Kumar 2/49).
India -- 242 for 4 in 45.5 overs (S Tendulkar 117 not out, R Sharma 66, M S Dhoni 15 not out; J Hopes 2-42)


Australia Innings

Batsman Status Runs

Adam Gilchrist (W) c Yuvraj Singh b Praveen Kumar 7

Matthew Hayden c Piyush Chawla b Harbhajan Singh 82

Ricky Ponting (C) b Praveen Kumar 1

Michael Clarke c MS Dhoni b Ishant Sharma 4

Andrew Symonds c Praveen Kumar b Harbhajan Singh 31

Michael Hussey run out (Irfan Pathan) 45

James Hopes c MS Dhoni b Yuvraj Singh 15

Brad Hogg not out 23

Brett Lee c Rohit Sharma b Irfan Pathan 17

Mitchell Johnson not out 6

Total: 239 for 8 in 50.0 overs Run Rate: 4.78 Extras : 8 (b - 1, w - 7, nb - 0, lb - 0, Penalty - 0)

Fall of wickets: 1/16 (Adam Gilchrist 2.4 ov.), 2/19 (Ricky Ponting 4.2 ov.), 3/24 (Michael Clarke 5.5 ov.), 4/124 (Andrew Symonds 23.1 ov.), 5/135 (Matthew Hayden 27.3 ov.), 6/173 (James Hopes 38.5 ov.), 7/212 (Michael Hussey 47 ov.), 8/231 (Brett Lee 49 ov.)

Australian innings:

Captain MS Dhoni sprung a surprise early on as Pravin Kumar opened the bowling for Team India. The gamble paid off after Praveen Kumar got two vital wickets -- that of Adam Gilchrist, who was playing on his home ground for one final time at 7 and Ricky Ponting, who walked pack to the pavillion at 1.

Ishant Sharma sent back Michael Clarke, who edged one behind to the keeper with Australia struggling at 24 for three.

Mattew Hayden's entry in the playing 11 steadied the Australian innings with a half century along with Andrew Symonds. The duo lead Australia's fightback putting together 100-run stand for fourth wicket.

However, Harbhajan's double strike got Team India back into the game. Andrew Symonds was first to go at 31 followed by Matthew Hayden, who was sent back by the turbanator at 82 with Australia losing half it's side for less than 150 runs.

Sweet Revenge for Bhajji:

Just a few days back, Matthew Hayden took on Harbhajan Singh, when called him an obnoxious little weed. However, Harbhajan Singh had the last laugh on Sunday (March 2) when he had Hayden dismissed just when he was looking dangerous. Harbhajan had a very special way of celebrating with Yuvraj Singh as the traded punches. Hayden in his radio interview had said he would have loved to have Harbhajan in the ring and Bhajji gave it back when he got him out.

Gautam Gambhir leading run-getter:

Meanwhile, it is India's Gautam Gambhir, who is the leading run-getter in the tournament with 422 run in his pocket at brilliant average of 70. Gambhir has been the best batsman in the series so far picking up two centuries. While Captain MS Dhoni has been very impressive with the bat coming down the order and seeing India home in couple of big wins.

Highest run-getter for India so far:

PLAYER M R HS AVG SR
G Gambhir 8 422 113 70.3 82.5
MS Dhoni 8 296 88* 74.0 70.5
S Tendulkar 8 191 63 23.9 84.14
R Sharma 8 167 70* 33.4 76.3

But the biggest boost for the Aussies has been the bowling of Nathan Bracken, who has picked up wickets in all the matches he has played. He has picked up 18 wickets in 8 matches at an average of 15.2. Brett Lee is not far behind and has been firing on all cylinders picking up 15 wickets in 8 games. Mitchel Johnson and Brad Hogg have also been great back-ups for their quality bowling attack.

Highest wicket-takers for Australia so far:

PLAYER M W B/B ECON AVG
N Bracken 8 18 5/47 3.98 15.2
B Lee 6 15 5/27 5.03 17.6
M Johnson 7 11 3/29 3.40 18.90
B Hogg 6 7 2/30 4.16 28.28