Quantcast

Bowlers cause epic Canberra collapse

India lose final nine wickets for just 46 runs as Richardson leads Aussie fightback with 5-68

The match in a tweet: How did India lose that one?!? Dhawan and Kohli ton up but Kane's carnage triggers late collapse that secures 4-0 series lead

The collapse: The Indians were absolutely cruising in their run chase until the 212-run partnership between Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli ended when the left-hander fell for 126 in the 38th over. Dhawan's wicket was the first in a barely believable collapse of 9-46 in 58 minutes that somehow handed Australia victory and a 4-0 series lead.

The hero: The fortunes of Kane Richardson fluctuated as much as this match did, but he returned in the final overs to play a major role in a collapse that sparked Australia's victory. 

Having conceded just three runs from his first two overs, the right armer was hit for 30 from his next two and began his final spell with figures of 1-52 from six overs. He then ripped out four Indian batsmen in as many overs, following on from the key dismissals of Dhawan and MS Dhoni by John Hastings, to finish with career-best figures of 5-68 in a match-winning performance.

WATCH: Kane Richardson's five wickets shatter India

The support cast: Aaron Finch's seventh one-day international century laid the platform for Australia's monster total of 8-348, the Victorian sharing a 187-run opening stand with the returning David Warner (93 from 92 balls). 

Finch moved past 2000 ODI runs during his run-a-ball 107, becoming the equal third fastest Australian to the milestone. Of the players from the major Test playing nations, Finch has scored the most one-day international runs without having played Test cricket and his performance here is a timely boost as he prepares to lead Australia at the World T20 in March and April.

WATCH: Finch's ton capital punishment for India

The consolation effort: Hundreds to Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan tonight bring to five the number of Indian century-makers in this series, none of which have come in victories. Their 212-run partnership appeared to be steering India to a comfortable victory, but the dismissal of Dhawan and then Kohli a short time later helped to hand Australia the victory. 

WATCH: Dashing Dhawan punishes Aussies

Having become the fastest man to 7000 ODI runs with his ton in Melbourne on Sunday, Kohli made it one-day hundred No.25 in a controlled innings that may not have steered his side all the way to the target but took a sizeable chunk out of it. 

He paired with left-hander Dhawan, who made a welcome return to form with his ninth ODI century and his second against Australia.  

WATCH: Kohli racks up 25th ODI ton

The banter: The rivalry between Virat Kohli and James Faulkner that ignited in Melbourne surfaced again as the Indians took control early in the run chase. Having explained the duo's run in at the MCG, Kohli was at it again in Canberra when a throw from Faulkner just missed the stumps with the Indian star short of his ground.

WATCH: Faulkner and Kohli reprise banter

The shot Part I: Glenn Maxwell has played some ridiculous shots in the past two matches, none better than this incredible reverse sweep off Ishant Sharma in the final over of Australia's innings. Having moved across his stumps in preparation to play a ramp shot down to fine leg, Maxwell made a sudden adjustment when Ishant fired the ball outside off stump. The allrounder quickly twisted his hands around the bat and reverse swept it over the man inside the rope at short third men, connecting sweetly enough to almost send it over the rope. His full highlights package is below, but the shot you want to watch is at the 50 second mark.

WATCH: Maxi magic dazzles Manuka

The shot Part II: Brett Lee called it the 'Leap Frog' while co-commentator Michael Slater just burst out laughing. Dhawan started the 11th over of India's innings with an audacious slap over point for six off John Hastings, lifting both feet off the ground at the moment of impact and still producing enough power to send it over the rope.

WATCH: Shikhar stuns with audacious aerial slap shot

The 'ouch' moment Part I: This is not the way you want to start a match. Warner was hitting them in the middle of his bat from the first ball and one of them found 'the middle' of Rohit Sharma at cover. Unsurprisingly, the Indian fielder was a little tentative the next time the ball came his way.

WATCH: Ro-hit in an awkward area

The 'ouch' moment Part II: The second painful blow of Australia's innings was far more serious and provided another reminder of the danger umpires face in the modern game. Australian umpire John Ward, making his return to international cricket having been struck on the head during a game in India late last year, sported a helmet throughout the match, but it was his fellow official Richard Kettleborough that was in harm's way this time. 

The Englishman copped a nasty blow on the shin from a straight drive by Aaron Finch and having soldiered on for around 10 overs, he eventually left the field to be treated by Australia's team medical staff and was replaced for the rest of the match by Paul Wilson.

WATCH: Richard Kettleboroguh felled by Finch drive

The crowd catch: Give it up for the bloke in the white singlet! There's been plenty of brilliant crowd catches this summer and this one is right up there, with even Nathan Lyon showing his appreciation.

WATCH: Classic crowd catch in Canberra

The stat: Tonight's late collapse extends India's losing streak against Australia to 11 matches across all formats, a streak that goes back to March 2014. In the 11 games since India's win over the Aussies in the World T20 in Dhaka, Australia have won eight matches, drawn two and had one no result.

What it all means: One could only imagine that India's loss tonight will hurt their confidence more than the previous three given the tourists had the match in their keeping with 12 overs remaining. 

Australia will be desperate to continue their momentum and register a 5-0 series whitewash at the SCG on Saturday, which would lead nicely into their three-match T20 series and potentially lay down a marker for when the two sides meet again at the World T20.