Sydney's Australia Day a dump squib

Match abandoned after rain forces washout with just 16 overs of play possible at the SCG

  Hello everyone and welcome for the fourth match of the tri-series at the SCG. The match was between Australia and India. Australia and India, pre-tournament favourites for the upcoming Cricket World Cup, have taken largely contrasting routes in the build event. By virtue of the three wins, Australia sit pretty at the top of the table, having already booked their final place for the final. The effect of a long tour has affected India adversely and they now find themselves facing, potentially two must win games to make the tri-series final. Alternatively, if they lost the next one, they'll have to then beat England by a bonus point and ensure that the trumpt Eoin Morgan's men, even in the Net Run Rate battle. 26th of January marks a special day for both these Commonwealth countries. Australia Day and India, the Republic Day- An added motivation for both teams to put up a good show.

Australia:

Australia have enjoyed the perfect tune-up thus far. Their first two victories were set up by Mitchell Starc and their bursts with the new ball. Then, in the earlier against England, Starc and James Faulkner came up with a fine exhibition of death bowling to restrict England to 303, when they looked set to get much more. The batting has remained solid, if not flamboyant. The depth in batting has allowed the top-order to bat with freedom.

 For the game India game, there are welcome returns to he squad. George Bailey will take over as captain missing the last game due to suspension. Mitchell Marsh has sufficiently recovered from an injury sustained during the Brisbane Test against India. David Warner and Shane Watson missed the Hobart ODI with Hamstring injuries and it remain to be seen, if the think-tank would rush them for inconsequential game. Mitchell Johnson, though fit, will make a return only for final. However, Josh Hazelwood are expected to play today.

India:

The defending World Champions had a sorry day at the office against England. They were blown away by Steven Finn and James Anderson and there appear to be cracks creeping up into the famed batting line-up. There are question marks surrounding Shikhar Dhawan's place in the side and Virat Kholi's batting position. India's two aggressive batsman at the top of the order have failed to started. Rohit Sharma, India centurion against Australian in Melbourne, has been sidelined by a hamstring injury and will miss the encounter in Sydney.

India, however, will be boosted by Ishant Sharma's and Ravindra Jadega's steady return to fitness. Stuart Binny, who shone in an otherwise forgettable day against England, may keep his place even if India opt to for a two-spinner attack. Jadeja's bowling readiness may help the team management make the choice among the three available spinners. A five day win after their twin defeats may augur well for a team that looks to regain his mental freshness.

Pitch and Conditions:

The wicket at Sydney is expected to be dry and is said to assist spin. However, there is a 60% chance for rain, late on today afternoon. That may influence the team composition.

 Just to remind all of you- If India lose today or the match get washed out, their ODI against England on Friday, becomes a knock-out game. India will have to secure a bonus point win in case of a loss today.
 For India, it has been a sorry tale. opting to bat first in their games , the visitors stuttered in the initial overs. They were able to post a decent 267 against Australia in the first match, but it was no match for a flamboyant Australian batting attack. Against England, it was yet another story. Collective failure from the batsman meant that India could post a mearge 153 on board. The continues to be a big question mark over Shikhar Dhawan's from and Virat Kholi's batting position still seems uncertain. Even Rohit Sharma continues to remain out of the side due to hamstring injury.
 The hosts are in terrific touch. Their bowling attack is solid, with Mitchell Starc enjoying a dream run, He was ruthless in their first two games, and combined well with other bowlers in their last match to put up an admirable display of death bowling. Although their batting lacks the same consistency as their bowling, their depth has allowed to play more freely. George Bailey, who missed the last game due to suspension, will take over the captaincy from Steven Smith. Shaun Marsh will make way for David Warner. Mitchel Johnson is fit but it remain to be seen whether Australia would rush him for a seemingly inconsequential game. The fact that Australia are already offers them a good chance to experiment.
 January 26- A very special day for both the teams. while India celebrate their 66th Republic Day, the hosts will be celebrating Australia Day, their official national day. A win in today game will be of momentous significance for both the teams. Australia are already through the final and will be looking forward to keep the momentum going. On the other hand, winless India find themselves in a do-or-die situation.
 Finally we had got a start here! As it was delayed due to consistent drizzle and a wet outfield. After sometime the condition had gone brighter. Australia had won the toss and elected to field first.

Teams:

India (playing XI): Ajinkya Rahane, Shikhar Dhawan, Ambati Rayudu, Virat Kholi, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni (c), Stuart Binny, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma.

Australia (playing XI): Aaron Finch, David Warner, Steven Smith, George Bailey (c), Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, James Faulkner, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Starc, Xavier Doherty, Josh Hazelwood.

 Hazelwood, Mitchell Marsh, Bailey, Warner and Doherty come in for Australia. They replace White, Shaun Marsh, Cummins, Henriques. India bring on Ishant and Jadeja in plce of Umesh and Bhuvmeshwar.

 These match got underway in rainy condition at 3pm, before play was interrupted 15 minutes later with the score 0-6 after 2.4 overs. After sometime play was resume at 4.06pm but the player was again exited the field after India reached 2-69, with Shikhar Dhawan out for eight, caught at the first slip by Aaron Finch off Mitchell Starc, and Ambati Rayudu  making 23 for 24 before skying a chance out to deep point that was held by David Warner from the bowling of Mitch Marsh.
That it! The umpires have had enough of discussion and they have decided to call it off. Both the teams got two points each. The next game to be played between England and India at Perth on the 30th of the January will be the decider. The net run rate and bonus point are out of equation. Simple logic, the one who wins it goes through to the finals. That is all from our side. Do join us on 30th January for the sixth match of the series. Hope we get a full 50-over game. Until then, it's goodbye and cheers!!