Clarke’s unbeaten century takes Australia to 289/3
By IANSWednesday, October 20, 2010
VISAKHAPATNAM - Captain Michael Clarke hit an unbeaten 111 as Australia overcame a poor start to score 289 for three in 50 overs against India in the second One-day International here Wednesday.
Cameron White (89) also remained unbeaten while Mike Hussey made 69 at the Y.S. Rajsekhara Reddy Cricket Stadium.
Ashish Nehra removed openers Shaun Marsh (0) and Tim Paine (9) with just 16 runs on board, but Clarke and Hussey steadied the ship putting on 144 runs together.
Clarke hit seven four and a six in his 139-ball knock and Hussey had seven fours in his 77-ball stay. The duo never panicked and punished the bad deliveries to rebuild the innings.
Spinner R. Ashwin removed Hussey by trapping him leg before in the 37th over.
Clarke and vice-captain White then smashed the Indian bowlers all over the park as Australia scored 114 runs in the last 10 overs.
White’s 89 came off 49 balls and included six fours and six overboundaries and his powerful hitting helped Australia score 49 runs in the five overs of batting powerplay between 43rd and 47th overs.
Nehra, who had impressive figures of 4-1-3-2 in his first spell, had to suffer at the hands of both White and Clarke, who were in a rampaging mood in the closing stages of the match. Nehra conceded 54 runs in his last six overs and returned with 57 runs from his 10 overs.
