India takes out third ODI by 13 runs after surviving a late fight from Glenn Maxwell
It was far from a case of no Warner, no worries for Australia, who badly missed the master blaster at the top of the order. Was this a summer reality check?
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Australia was given a sobering reality check on life without David Warner on Wednesday night, as India rallied to their first win of the summer.
The 13-run victory meant nothing on the scoreboard, but Virat Kohli’s men walked away from Manuka Oval with at least something they can build belief around heading into the first Test on December 17.
Glenn Maxwell launched a 100-metre reverse missile into the Canberra night to almost inspire a thrilling run chase, but in the end Australia missed the platform set by Warner at the top of the order.
Warner’s absence had a significant lining as it opened the door for Cameron Green’s anticipated debut, and the young prodigy didn’t disappoint with enough highlights in his 27-ball 21 to keep tongues wagging about what he might be able to do if thrown into the Test arena.
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But the likelihood that Warner won’t line up for the Test series opener in Adelaide has exposed a chink in the Australian armour that can’t be underestimated.
Some of India’s big guns finally found some form in Canberra after emerging sluggishly from the blocks, with Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling of Maxwell to end a late show exhibition of hitting on 59 from 38 balls the moment that got India into the winner’s circle and into the series.
With Maxwell at the crease, Australia looked like swallowing up India’s target of 303, but after he departed, Ashton Agar (28 off 28) and Sean Abbott couldn’t find the boundary.
In the first two ODIs, Warner and Aaron Finch put on the best part of 150 for the first wicket, but on Wednesday the Australians were five down by the time they passed that milestone, even though Finch made his third consecutive score, with a 75.
Australia also missed their other big guns Pat Cummins (rested) and Mitchell Starc (back and rib niggle), as India’s Hardik Pandya (92 not out) and Ravindra Jajeda (66 not out) destroyed them in the death overs.
Sean Abbott went for 49 from his last three overs in his return to ODI cricket as India’s match-winners finally found some mojo.
Maxwell may have fallen short in delivering victory, but his stunning reverse sweep six was an extraordinary piece of power hitting that will be hard to dislodge as the most dazzling individual highlight of the summer.
Former Test great Ian Chappell has argued switch hitting is “blatantly unfair” and Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav might have agreed with him as he watched Maxwell destroy him deep into the grandstand on his wrong side.
Fair or unfair, the shot encapsulated the sheer brilliance and muscle of Maxwell, a batsman who Mark Waugh declared on Wednesday night is in career-best form.
It’s hard to argue with given Maxwell has made 77, 1, 108, 45, 63 not out and 59 in his last six ODI innings.
Another big blow for Australia in their pursuit of victory was when Maxwell and Alex Carey were involved in a disastrous running mix-up, which meant Carey was gone for 38 with 92 still needed from 72 balls.
India were aware of the hype around Green and gave him a willing introduction to international cricket, with Shardul Thakur greeting him with a bouncer and a couple of sizzling deliveries past the outside edge.
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AUSSIE CRICKET’S NEW PIN UP BOY
Australia’s new all-round gun was welcomed to international cricket with a message that he would soon become the pin-up boy for the next generation.
Cameron Green, one of the most highly anticipated Australian debutants in recent memory, was presented with his first international cap by Steve Smith, a man who knows a thing or two about big expectations and how to live up to them.
Smith admits he barely knows Green the person, but he delivered a long and heartfelt address to the 21-year-old prodigy on Wednesday which summed up perfectly the magnitude of what it all means for a rare talent dubbed Australia’s best since Ricky Ponting.
“I took it back to when I was a kid and was inspired by guys like Gilly (Adam Gilchrist), Junior (Mark Waugh), Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee coming through,” Smith told Fox Cricket.
“Now he’s playing for Australia and there will be young kids watching at home or at the ground inspired by him.
“He’s deserved this opportunity to play for his country. He’s dominated at the level below. He’s progressed his way up and all the hard work starts now.”
Green bowled just four overs on debut, but Fox expert Kerry O’Keeffe had seen enough after a couple of balls to be reassured that former selector Greg Chappell had not overstated Green’s enormous potential.
“We’ve found one,” said O’Keeffe.
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