Maxwell revived Australia’s chase for a 296-run victory target with a spectacular knock and by the time he was dismissed after an 83- ball blitz, scores were tied at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. It’s been three matches in which the batsmen have managed to post decent totals (308, 309 and 295) but in all the three games, the hosts have managed to chase down the totals without being pushed to the limits. But it was the choice of words, more than the volume they were delivered at, which showed that the continued indiscipline in the field had clearly stung. He plays so beautifully when he hits the ball in the right areas.
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“You accumulate those 15 runs or maybe more, then the turnaround could have happened”.
Glenn Maxwell hopes to challenge negative perceptions of his attitude and secure a return to Australia’s Test side with consistent performances. The Indians also didn’t seem to be able to throw the ball in from the long boundaries at the MCG with the precision the Australians had, but Dhoni indicated that one had to find a way around a weaker throwing arm.
Maxwell’s knock overshadowed the sensational work of Kohli, whose masterclass with a superb 117 off as many balls proved insufficient as Australia chased them down for the third successive match. I was pretty stuffed when I got off. I was trying to do the math to see who had overs left, who we could target, think of fields, what they’ll have in a couple of overs and how we’ll target that as well. Nine runs away from a fifty, Smith edged a Ravindra Jadeja (2-49) delivery to Rahane at first slip. He scooped a boundary over the head of wicketkeeper Wade off Hastings but next ball he again moved into position for a premeditated shot through the on side, and lost his leg stump, bowled for 68 off 91. Yes, fielding was a problem but not bowling to the field was a bigger one. “It was a tough wicket to start on so it made me easier for me to improvise and hit it over the infield”, he said. Maxwell played the best innings of the match, counter-punching under pressure, keeping calm, and guiding Australia home. It’s something I’ve probably dealt with a lot better early on than more recently, when I feel like I’ve made big strides and played well in Shield cricket. In the end, what looked like was going to be a close match was easily won by Australia with eight balls to spare.
Maxwell, 27, has the game to toy with the opposition bowling attack when in full flow but his risk-taking style has also prompted suggestions he is a Twenty20 specialist. Our spinners are experienced but the conditions here won’t help them much. Barinder Sran impressed on his debut but looked utterly helpless at Brisbane. “It’s good to see Ishant bowl well in the middle, but when there’s a bit of pressure, the fast bowlers leak runs”, said Dhoni.
The scrutiny upon India’s ODI captain is likely to intensify after the three-wicket loss to Australia in Melbourne put the five-match series out of their reach at 3-0. James Faulkner (21) gave him steady support at the other end.
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“It’s a satisfying win because of the amount of players we’re missing from that World Cup side”.
