Date:24/09/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/09/24/stories/2007092456461900.htm

Sport - Cricket

India scripts a thrilling win

Sports Reporter

Durban: India pulled off an astounding 15 run win over Australia in the semifinal of the ICC World Twenty20 on Saturday, after Matthew Hayden discarded balls to outside the ground, and Andrew Symonds the batsman, finally showed up.

Sreesanth’s inspiring spell had the theatrics and the quality. His wicket of Hayden drastically tilted the balance in India’s favour.

Prior to that, the Australians were cruising despite captain Adam Gilchrist’s wicket. Gilchrist failed to handle Sreesanth’s pace and was bowled.

After Brad Hodge fell to Irfan Pathan, Australia had its best phase, with both Symonds and Hayden striking some of the cleanest blows.

Symonds did flourish for a while after Hayden’s exit, but was bowled by a swinging beauty from Pathan.

Michael Hussey scratched around after calling a runner and the Aussie chase was up to him and Michael Clarke to finish.

Brilliant bowling

What followed was some of the best bowling seen in the match. Harbhajan was spot-on in disturbing Clarke’s stumps, which capped a splendid over where he gave nothing away. R.P. Singh followed suit, leaving the batsmen in no position to score boundaries.

Twenty-two were needed off the final over. Hussey, the current team’s Michael Bevan, was still around.

Joginder Sharma had gone for plenty earlier, but was given the ball, and delivered in dismissing Hussey.

The last ball of the innings went for four, but celebrations had begun.

Earlier, the Indian batsmen, after a sedentary first few overs, optimised every scoring opportunity offered by the Australians.

Stunning pull

Yuvraj’s blows upped the run-rate for India. He announced his arrival with a stunning pull that went for the maximum. He scored a quickfire 70 off 30 balls, while Robin Uthappa (34) and Dhoni (36) chipped in with useful knocks.

SCOREBOARD India: G. Gambhir c Hodge b Johnson 24, V. Sehwag c Gilchrist b Johnson 9, R. Uthappa (run out) 34, Yuvraj c Hussey b Clarke 70, M.S. Dhoni (run out) 36, Rohit Sharma (not out) 8, I. Pathan (not out) 0, Extras (lb-6, w-1): 7; Total (for five wkts. in 20 overs): 188.

Fall of wickets: 1-30, 2-41, 3-125, 4-155, 5-184.

Australia bowling: Lee 4-0-25-0, Bracken 4-0-38-0, Clark 4-0-38-0, Johnson 4-0-31-2, Symonds 3-0-37-0, Clarke 1-0-13-1.

Australia: A. Gilchrist b Sreesanth 22, M. Hayden b Sreesanth 62, B. Hodge c Joginder b Pathan 11, A. Symonds b Pathan 43, M. Hussey c Yuvraj b Joginder 13, M. Clarke b Harbhajan 3, B. Haddin (not out) 5, B. Lee b Joginder 2, M. Johnson (not out) 4, Extras (lb-3, w-3, nb-2): 8; Total (for seven wkts. in 20 overs): 173.

Fall of wickets: 1-36, 2-68, 3-134, 4-156, 5-159, 6-167, 7-169.

India bowling: R.P. Singh 4-0-33-0, Sreesanth 4-1-12-2, Pathan 4-0-44-2, Joginder 3-0-37-2, Harbhajan 4-0-24-1, Sehwag 1-0-20-0.