[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l67JtoxAplU]
Last summer Australia lost the CB series to England this year they are playing India, the rivilary between the two teams is at all time high and their relations are at an all time low. Both the teams are going through rebuilding and have lost some key players since last year, Australia are still the team to beat given their bench strength but the recent slump in the form of their key batsmen have often made them look vulnerable, team India has also undergone changes and their new found strength in bowling has made them a lot stronger than before the induction of youth has not only brought energy in the team but also a certain level of swagger. India are also facing some problems with their batting they still have not been able to find the right combination in their batting line up the form of some key players like Sachin,Yuvraj, and Uthappa is haunting them, and if they have to fancy their chances these players will have lift up their game. Sachin in the nine matches he has played so far in this series has only averaged 23.87, Yuvraj has averaged only 22, and Uthappa 19.
The real difference between the two teams is bowling Australian fast bowlers have rescued their team on a number of occasions, the difference between the two teams is of Nathan Bracken, Johnson and Brett lee not only that they have been taking wickets on regular intervals but their economy rate has also been excellent. Whereas India has been only riding on the shoulders of Young Ishaant Sharma, the absence of a quality fifth bowler has often caused serious problems for them, the part time spin of Yuvraj and Sachin has not helped them at all in this series.
Will Australia lose their crown this year ? Can Indian players become more clinical in their approach? We don’t know the answers to these questions yet but one thing is for sure all the fans will get to see a dog fight between these two rival teams.
Match report
Australia v India, CB Series, 1st final,
March 2, 2008
50 overs Australia 8 for 239 (Hayden 82, Hussey 45) v India
Australia made a disastrous start to their innings, stumbling to 3-24 with the farewelling Adam Gilchrist (7) and captain Ricky Ponting (1) falling to errant shots off the bowling of Praveen Kumar (2-48 off 10 overs).
Michael Clarke (4) was unlucky with umpire Rudi Koertzen ruling him caught behind off Ishant Sharma despite replays suggesting the ball only brushed his pad.
Hayden and Symonds rescued the innings before Harbhajan struck twice and got rid of both of his nemesis as he and fellow tweaker Piyush Chawla (0-33 off 10 overs) dried up the runs mid-innings.
From 5-135, Mike Hussey (45) ensured Australia posted a 200-plus total from their 50 overs with a typically measured knock with the departing Brad Hogg (23no) also providing a handy contribution. Brett lee scored three consecutive boundaries off IK pathan in the 49th over and helped his team in posting a total of 239.
It will not be easy to score these runs under the lights against Australia’s bowling.
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