Aggressive plan pays off for Faulkner

Australia

All-rounder James Faulkner basked in a successful gameplan, after leading Australia to a four-wicket victory over India in Saturday's third ODI at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali, Chandigarh.

All-rounder James Faulkner basked in a successful gameplan, after leading Australia to a four-wicket victory over India in Saturday's third ODI at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali, Chandigarh.

The Aussies' choice to bowl first after winning the toss saw India reach a formidable tally of 303 for nine on the back of skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni's quickfire 139 not out.

Brisk half-centuries from Faulkner and batsman Adam Voges and complementary cameos from opener Aaron Finch and opener Adam Voges, however, saw the tough target reached with three deliveries to spare.

"I didn't feel I could get spinner Ravichandran Ashwin over to the long boundary, with his carom balls. So I thought if I could just get seven or eight off him and target the other end, that was our only chance of winning, to take 20 runs each from the medium-pacers," said Faulkner.

The talented Faulkner, named Man of the Match, largely for an unbeaten 64 off a mere 29 balls, lauded the gutsy effort of Voges. The pair shared a whirlwind, unbroken 91-run alliance inside nine overs.

"It was a very good innings from Voges. It's clear that you struggle early in the innings, but to battle the way through like he did and help me out when I was struggling initially, I think he batted exceptionally well with a mature head," added Faulkner.

The fourth ODI will get underway in Ranchi on Wednesday. Cuttack, Nagpur and Bangalore will host games five, six and seven respectively.

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