Ranchi rain sees fourth ODI abandoned

Cricket365
October 23, 2013

The fourth ODI between India and Australia in Ranchi was abandoned due to heavy rain on Wednesday, leaving the series still in the Aussies' favour, leading two-one with three games to go.

India needed to chase 296 runs to win, after a 153-run stand between George Bailey and Glenn Maxwell negated Mohammed Shami's superb work early in the game. But they only reached 27/0 in four overs before rain arrived.

After being put in to bat, the Aussies were three down for just 32 runs thanks to Shami, and then four down for 71, before skipper Bailey and all-rounder Maxwell put on their rescue effort, making 98 and 92 respectively.

The visitors, who lead the series two-one, started off in dire fashion, losing Aaron Finch in the second over, and then Phil Hughes and Shane Watson following cheaply soon afterwards. Adam Voges made seven before departing to Ravi Ashwin.

This left the big-hitting pair to again record the runs, with Bailey adding his fifth big half century is six ODI innings to his records. He struck seven fours and three sixes, before being caught by Rohit Sharma off R Vinay Kumar.

Maxwell's 92 came off just 77 balls, including six fours and five sixes. He too was unable to reach three figures though, trapped LBW by Vinay Kumar in the 40th over. This left James Faulkner, even improving with the bat, to again come to the party.

The fast bowler made 23 not out, while Mitchell Johnson helped push the score close to 300 with his own contribution of 25, but he was stumped by MS Dhoni off Ashwin. India could have reduced the total had they held onto the six catches they dropped.

The chase saw Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan unbeaten on nine and 14 respectively as the heavens opened. An inspection two hours later showed no chance of the field being ready by the cut-off time.

<b>India:</b> Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Vinay Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Jaydev Unadkat.

<b>Australia:</b> Aaron Finch, Phil Hughes, Shane Watson, George Bailey, Adam Voges, Glenn Maxwell, Brad Haddin, James Faulkner, Mitchell Johnson, Clint McKay, Xavier Doherty.