An Aussie four-run victory in the first match at Vadodara got the jam-packed seven match tour off to a positive start for the visitors however the narrow margin suggests that this series will be fitting for the number one and two ODI teams in the world.

Of course the closeness of the series will depend on the number of injuries are sustained and the injuries list for the visitors is starting to resemble a Barcelonan Emergency Department following Running of The Bulls.

Brett Lee bowled just a handful of overs before an elbow injury resulted in his substitution, James Hopes let fly 12 injuries before succumbing to a hamstring injury while Mitchell Johnson complained of a left ankle problem and left the field briefly.

These are all on top of pre-tournament injuries which meant Nathan Bracken, Michael Clarke and Brad Haddin didn’t even make the journey.

It’s no wonder then that Australian captain Ricky Ponting is upset by the seven-match schedule calling it too long following what has been a lengthy and hectic season. Australia’s thinned bowling ranks was forced to work hard to protect their 292 on a belter of a pitch.

Earlier Ricky Ponting (74) and Mike Hussey (73) proved to be the mainstay of the Australian innings while opener Tim Paine (50) and Cameron White (51) got their tours off to a positive start.

While Ishant Sharma picked up 3/50 the rest of the Indian attack was too expensive and loose, Praveen Kumar was carted for 0/77 off 10 overs, while Harbhajan Singh (1/57), Ashish Nera (2/58) all went for close to six an over.

Australia’s bowlers were equally hammered, firstly at the top of the order by Gautam Gambhir (68) then again by Singh (49) and Kumar (40no) at the tail end.

India failed to combat early aggressiveness of Australia’s quicks losing Virender Sehwag (13) and Sachin Tendulkar (14) cheaply while Virat Kohli (30) and MS Dhoni (34) chipped in.

Cricket Betting Odd

Australia –140
India +110

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