Warner and Finch score hundreds as Australia humiliate India in Mumbai

Aaron Finch 100 Australia Sri Lanka World Cup PA

Cricket365
January 14, 2020

David Warner and captain Aaron Finch both scored centuries as Australia thrashed India by 10 wickets in the first of a three-match one-day international series.

Chasing 256 for victory at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, Australia coasted home with 12.2 overs to spare, with Warner’s unbeaten 128 comprising 17 fours and three sixes, while Finch’s 110 included 13 fours and two sixes.

FULL SCORECARD: First ODI – Australia (258/0) beat India (255) by 10 wickets

The stand of 258 was Australia’s second highest for the first wicket in one-day internationals, and the eighth best overall in the format’s history.

After losing the toss and being put into bat, the hosts initially appeared poised to post a significant total as Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul put on 121 for the second wicket following the loss of opener Rohit Sharma (10) in the fifth over.

Rahul’s dismissal for 47 sparked a collapse of four wickets for 30 runs in 5.4 overs from which India never really recovered, with top-scorer Dhawan next to fall, his 74 including nine fours and a six, followed by captain Virat Kohli (16) and Shreyas Iyer (4).

Although Rishabh Pant (28) and Ravindra Jadeja (25) briefly steadied the ship with a sixth-wicket partnership of 49, India fell to 255 all out, five balls shy of completing their 50 overs, with Mitchell Starc the pick of the Australian bowlers with three for 56 from his 10.

Pant was forced to keep wicket during Australia’s innings due to Rahul sustaining a concussion after being hit on the helmet while batting, making him a doubt for the second game in Rajkot on Friday, and the final match in Bangalore on Sunday.