Australia lose way to end up on 250

By Abhishek Roy, Mohali, Nov 2 : A rash of run-outs and a lower-order collapse saw Australia ending up with 250 after promising much more in the fourth One-day international against India here Monday.

Australia were set for a big total after Cameron White scored a quick 62 off 71 balls and skipper Ricky Ponting made 52. But four run-outs and a lower-order collapse saw the visitors folding up in 49.2 overs, falling well short of the par total on this ground.

Put in to bat by India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Australia were well placed at 201 for four in 40 overs. But Indian bowlers, helped by some tight fielding, gave away just 49 runs picking up six wickets in 9.2 overs.

Brilliant throws from Ravindra Jadeja and Ashish Nehra brought an end to the innings of Ponting and White. Shane Watson (49) and Michael Hussey (40) gifted away their wickets.

Dhoni had no doubt in mind to opt for fielding, keeping in mind the heavy dew that would play an important role in the latter stage of the game. His bowlers were bang on target and left-arm seamer Nehra was the pick of the lot with his three for 37 from his eight overs while off-spinner Harbhjan Singh got two for 48 from his 10 overs.

Both Nehra and Praveen Kumar gave India a good start, giving away only 37 runs in the first 10 overs. Nehra was the first to strike, trapping Shaun Marsh (5) leg before wicket in the eighth over.

Watson (49) and Ponting played sensibly and milked the Indian bowlers for some easy runs for their 64-run second-wicket stand.

Ponting was severe on Ishant Sharma. The Australian captain smashed the young fast bowler in his first over for 13 runs that included a six and four. Watson was in no hurry and found the boundaries regularly.

Watson was all set for a deserving half-century but Habhajan struck with his second ball as the Australian edged to wicketkeeper Dhoni. Watson hit six fours during his 52-ball stay.

With two wickets down for less than 100 runs, Ponting and White did some repairing act with but a direct throw from Jadeja ended the Australian captain's 59-ball innings that had five boundaries and a six.

White and Hussey (40) then plundered the spinners in the 73-run stand. Hussey's quick-fire knock came up in 41 deliveries and he used his feet well against the slow bowlers. Hussey lofted Yuvraj Singh for a huge six over wide long-on. But Yuvraj had the last laugh after Hussey was caught by Ishant at deep mid-wicket.

Australia surprisingly opted for the last power play after the 44th over, but could muster only 23 runs from it.

--IANS