Third ODI abandoned, India clinch ODI series against Australiav

MARGAO - India defeated Australia 1-0 in the One-day international cricket series after the third and final ODI here was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to a wet outfield.

India thus completed a highly successful series, not losing a single match against the visitors.

India won both the Tests at Mohali and Bangalore, retaining their number one position in Test rankings.

In the only ODI played, India scored an emphatic five wicket victory at Visakhapatnam with Virat Kohli cracking his third century. The first ODI at Kochi was also washed out.

Australia, who were pushed to the fifth place in the Test ladder, will now have to pull up their socks as they face arch rivals England at home in the Ashes from Nov 25.

It is the first time since the 1979-80 tour that Australia left India without winning a single game, including tour matches.

Australia would have liked to finish the series on a winning note but it was not to be.

After heavy unseasonal rains in the last couple of days, there was sunshine here Sunday but the ground could not be made ready for the match.

It was disappointing for the spectators, who had turned out in large number at the Nehru Stadium, where an international match was being held after three years.

Umpires Billy Bowden and Amiesh Saheba and match referee Chris Broad inspected the field thrice. But the outfield was wet and had damp patches because of rains.

The match officials finally decided to call off the match after final inspection at 12.50 p.m.