Starc, Finch Keep Aussies unbeaten

 Hello everyone and welcome for the big clash of the second match of the tri-series at Melbourne. The match was between Australia and India. Australia has won the first game and will wish to put in a good performance and continue their winning momentum. India, on the other hand will try and use this series to fine tune their combinations before the World Cup. Their batting seems to be fine but their bowling remains their weak link. Melbourne pitch report: Not much grass on the wicket but it looks like a good batting wicket. there will be good bounce and carry. The ball should swing under lights, the wicket being a drop-in one.
 At the toss time India has won the toss and elected to bat. Ravindra Jadeja wasnot fit so Axar Patel is in. Gurinder Sandhu to make his international debut in place of Xavier Doherty. So that means no specialist spinner for Australia. This is also the 50th ODI for Shikhar Dhawan.
 The players are out in the middle. Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma come out to open the batting for India. Australia start with  Mitchell Starc. Out Starc strikes at the very first over. Dhawan gone just scored 2 runs from 4 balls.The ball takes the edge and flies to second slip where Finch took a good head high catch. Ajiyanka Rahane came at number three. Rahane just scored 12 runs from 22 balls and what out by G.Sandhu were he took his first Maiden International wicket. Virat Kholi came at number four. After some time India once again lost their Huge wicket. These time Kholi departs by Faulkner by scoring 9 runs from 16 balls. These time Faulkner strikes at his first over. Khloi was out by playing a pull shot but got top edges. The ball goes towards mid on where Bailey comes under it and takes a simple catch. India were 3-59 at 12.5 overs. Suresh Raina came to bat at number five. Australia bowling attack was going good but Rohit  and Raina partnership took India to a strong lead. At the batting powerplay Raina was depart by Starc. Raina has batted pretty well. He scored his 33rd ODI fifty. The batting poweplay end of a 126-run stand between Raina and Rohit. Dhoni came out to bat. After some time Rohit has score his 6 ODI ton in the batting powerplay. Dhoni and Rohit continue to build the innings. Dhoni was playing some classy shot. They both  start to lead the run more faster. At other end Australia were trying their best. Rohit and Dhoni partnership did not continue much longer. In the 44.4 over India lost their Huge wicket, Dhoni looks to force it through the covers but fails to connect and get an inside edge back onto his stumps. That was a slower one and Dhoni was early into his shot. That is a very timely wicket for Australia, third one for Starc. Axar Patel walks in. After two balls Starc strikes again. Out! Four for Starc! Fuller and swinging, Axar played all over it and is hit on his pads. The players appeal and the umpire upholds the appeal. Replays shows that it was sliding down leg. Ravichandran Ashwin comes out to bat. Australia were making a comeback in the game. Australia has stop the runs in the last eight overs. In the last over Starc strikes again these time R.Sharma. Out! 4th Five- for for Starc in ODI's!  Full toss outside off, Rohit looks to swing it over mid-wicket but Maxwell at mid-wicket takes a simple catch. End of a brilliant knock from Rohit Sharma. And a well deserved five-wicket haul for Starc! Bhuvmeshwar kumar came out to bat. Out! Timber! Full and swinging on middle, Kumar plays all over it and is beaten. The ball crashes into the stumps and that is a first ball duck for Kumar. Career best ODI figures for Starc. Mohammed Shami walks in. India restricted to 267/8!
 The score is still a good one despite the collapse at the end. Rohit was the best batsman for India, he played on merit of the ball and scored a ton but got little support from the other end once Raina fell. The ball is gripping a bit and India will hope their new ball bowlers can strike to keep them in the game since we all know once Indian bowlers lose control they go for plenty.
 For the chase. David Warner and Aaron Finch are the two openers for the Australia. Bhuvmeshwar Kumar to bowl first up. Warner and Finch was going for every bowl. India were trying to control the runrate as low as possible. India did not able to stop the two opener.The opening pair contributed 51 runs in 9.1 overs. The Bull Warner batted till his best. Warner was out by Umesh Yadav , he goes for the big one and gets a top edge coming forward. The ball goes up high in the air towards covers where Raina takes a good catch. Shane Watson came out to bat. Finch was going bit slow, other end Watson was dangerous. Watto played some classy shot. He was looking dangerous. Finch and Watson contributed 64 runs  from 13.3 overs. The dangerous Watson was blowed by Axar Patel. Watto looks to sweep it through the vacant on side region. The ball crashes into the stumps. He scored 41 runs from39 balls with 5 fours and 1 six. Steven Smith walks in to bat. He has been in superb form and will be look to continue to score against the Indian bowlers. Smith and Finch were looking well, they were playing comfortably. Smith and Finch played every shot which they want to play. Smith had complete 1000 ODI runs. These both pair contribute 101 runs from 17 overs. Smith scored 47 runs and he was out Mohammed Shami. Smith looks to swat it through mid-wicket but finds the fielder. Ashwin took a good catch. Glenn Maxwell walks in to bat. Very next over Umesh Yadav took the wicket of Finch. Finch looks to go after it but only manages to edge it through to the keeper. Finch misses out on his ton by 4 runs. George Bailey came out to bat. India had control the runrate and started to pick up wickets. George Bailey was stumped by Dhoni. Flatter down the leg side, Bailey looks to clip it but misses. Dhoni fumbles at first but then recovers well to take the bails off in a flash and appeals. The square leg umpire gives it out. Replays show there was a slight edge as well. Brad Haddin came out to bat. One of the moost experience players of Australia. Maxwell was not in form. He hit some bigge. He was out by Bhuvmeshwar Kumar. Fuller, slower one following Maxwell who is backing away. Maxwell ends up chipping it back to the bowler who does well to take the catch over his head, leaping up. The Big Show departs. James Faulkner walks in to join Haddin. He hit 30 in an over against Ishant once to win the game. India came back in the game by picking back to back wickets of Austalia. Haddin and Faulkner took well played. Australia win by 4 wickets.
Faulkner finish in style.
 The Indian bowlers will have to work on their new ball bowling. They were not consistent enough. Rohit scored a century for them today but the bowlers failed to back that up. Starc was the best bowler today taking up 6/43. With the win the home side are also almost playing the final of the tri-series. Not that it is very huge but it gives them good platform to build the momentum with. Mitchell Starc is the Man of he Match.
 So two brilliant performances from Starc in two games, he would want to keep that going. Australia will hope to bat better in the coming games. India did well with the bat and will take heart from their comeback in the game with the ball. Do join us for the game between England and India at the Gabba on January 20th, 2015. Until then, it's goodbye and take care!