Tendulkar’s dazzling effort not enough in pulsating ODI

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Despite Sachin Tendulkar’s sublime knock of 175, India suffered their second consecutive defeat to the hands of Australia in a thrilling match earlier today.

Tendulkar’s knock came in just 141 balls, hitting 19 fours and 4 sixes as India looked like they would cruise to victory chasing a storming 351 for victory in Hyderabad.

But a disastrous collapse at the end of the match, with India losing five wickets for 48 runs, resulted in Australia securing a 3 – 2 series lead.  

Australia with the bat were in a devastating mood as they hit 350 from their 50 overs, only losing four wickets in the process.

Shane Watson got the innings to a flying start in his innings of 93 from 89 deliveries and Shaun Marsh played the ideal supporting role as Australia racked up the early runs.

The two played brilliantly and showed the world of cricket how to play modern ODI cricket – smashing the ball to the stands and hitting to all parts of the boundary.

Marsh went on to get his maiden hundred in the shorter version of the game and took the tourists into a powerful situation.

Ricky Ponting, Cameron White and Mike Hussey also chipped in to make quick totals as Australia charged to 350 – 4 from 50 overs.

Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag got the innings going nicely but Australia kept getting wickets at vital times to put them on top with the score at 162 – 4.

The Little Master produced an fantastic display of batting as he and Suresh Raina kept the side well in touch with the over-rate. Tendulkar sprayed the ball around ther wicket and looked in total control with Raina playing a great hand as well.

At 332 – 6, India were looking the more likely to pull of a sensational win but the loss of Tendulkar proved the ultimate blow.

Tendulkar fell to a bottom edged sweep shot to end a fanatstic knock. He seemed gutted to go because he failed to make it to the end.

India’s Ravinder Jadeja was then needlessly run-out as the Aussies could smell victory. The late tail sparked a small recovery by taking the game to the final over. The final two batsman Praveen Kumar and Munaf Patel kept India alive but Paveen was run-out after chasing a second run.

Australia dismissed India for 347 and won by a close fought three runs.  Who says the 50-over game is dead? What a quality game of cricket.

Bangladesh finish off with nail-biting win

Bangladesh beat Zimbabwe earlier today by just one wicket to finish 4 – 1 series winners. 

Zimbabwe, dismissed for just 44, on Tuesday, played much better today and were probably unlucky not to get the victory.

Being asked to bat, Zimbabwe made a competitive 221 – 9 from their 50 overs with Brendan Taylor making a great hundred (118).

Bangladesh though could not put on any sustainable partnerships and lost wickets throughout. At 187 – 9, Zimbabwe looked as if they were to record a fantasic win.

But a fabulous and gritty 35 run last wicket partnership between Naeem Islam and number 11 Nazmul Hossain won it for the home side to break Zimbabwe’s hearts.

Naeem Islam finished on 73no to take the man of the match prize.  

The On-Drive’s Track of the Day

Today, I am going for Bruce Springsteen and ‘Dancing In The Dark’. Brilliant record. Never get bored listening to this.

Great stuff. The On-Drive will be back on Monday as I am away tomorrow. Have a great weekend guys.

This is Nigel Slater signing off.