Australia pick up comprehensive win over India; Maxwell picks career-best four-for; Aussies win by 66 runs in 3rd ODI

RAJKOT: All-rounder Glenn Maxwell picked career-best figures of 4-40 on his return to the ODI team as Australia picked a consolation 66-run victory over India in the final match of the ODI series at SCA Stadium here on Wednesday.

Australia’s top-four batters, David Warner (56), Mitchell Marsh (96), Steven Smith (74) and Marnus La-buschagne (72), smashed half-centuries to propel the visitors to a mammoth 352/7, the highest ODI score at this venue.

In reply, India began well, thanks to half-centuries from returning duo of captain Rohit Sharma (81) and Virat Kohli (56). But Maxwell took the duo out, apart from Washington Sundar and Shreyas Iyer, to derail India’s chase.

Australia took a leaf out of India’s strategy of using slower balls in the back-end of the innings to bowl out India for 286 in 49.4 overs. The result meant Australia broke their five-match losing streak in ODIs, though India has won the series 2-1.

Needing 353 to win, the openers handed India a cruising start, as Rohit raced to his half-century. After Glenn Maxwell removed Sundar the hosts upped the ante as Kohli and Rohit kept Rajkot on its feet. The pair raced to 50 off 47 for the second wicket. In 20 overs India reached 135/1.

Glenn Maxwell accounted for both openers as he picked up the prized scalp of Rohit Sharma. After breaking the opening partnership with Washington Sundar's wicket, Maxwell removed Rohit as India lost their second.

Cruising at 81 off 57, the Indian skipper fell to Maxwell who picked up a stunning follow-on catch. Rohit's wicket broke Kohli and the skipper's 61-ball 70 partnership for the second-wicket. This brought Shreyas Iyer to the crease.

After Glenn Maxwell removed Rohit (81), Kohli and Shreyas Iyer took charge as India chased a strong target. Though India's runrate dipped in the last few overs. Kohli brought up his half-century off 56 deliveries. The star Indian batter did it in style as he brought up his 66th ODI fifty with a boundary.

Earlier, Mitchell Marsh's stroke-filled 96 and Marnus Labuschagne's polished 72 took Australia to a commend-able 352 for 7.

While Marsh missed reaching triple figures by a whisker, Australia's batters came good collectively in what will be their last official ODI before the start of the World Cup.

David Warner had himself to blame for his dismissal after a fiery 56 off 34 balls (6x4s, 4x6s), but he set the tone for Australia early on.

Steve Smith also put brakes on his poor run of scores to make a rapid 74 and towards the end, Labuschagne upped the ante with his 58-ball knock to help Australia post their challenging score. Labuschagne also became Aus-tralia's top run-getter in the ongoing calendar year.

Brief Scores: Australia 352/7 in 50 overs (Mitchell Marsh 96, Steven Smith 74; Jasprit Bumrah 3-81, Kuldeep Yadav 2-48) beat India 286 in 49.4 overs (Rohit Sharma 81, Virat Kohli 56; Glenn Maxwell 4-40, Josh Hazlewood 2-42) by 66 runs. Agencies

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