PerthAn excellent run-chase led by captain Steve Smith and George Bailey, who looked batting on different planet has helped Australia beat India by five wickets in a big chase in the one-day international opener on Tuesday evening in Perth.
Set an imposing 310 to win, Bailey (112) and Smith (149 off 135) combined in a 242-run partnership for the third wicket to canter home, after the hosts lost their openers cheaply.
Aaron Finch (8) and David Warner (5) hardly troubled the scorers as India started its defence brightly, only for Bailey and Smith to change the game entirely.
There was a lifeline for Bailey on his very first ball as he edged a leg-side glance off his gloves to the keeper, but the umpire gave it not out. With no DRS in play, India was left to rue the lack of technology.
Glenn Maxwell holed out for 6 off as many balls shortly after Bailey’s eventual dismissal, but Smith simply accelerated alongside Mitchell Marsh (12 not out).
Smith fell just two runs short of victory, dabbing a simple catch to Virat Kohli at cover, but Australia reached the target with four balls to spare.
Earlier, Rohit Sharma carried the bat with a brutal 171 not out off 163 balls as India made 3 for 309 on a friendly WACA pitch. Star batsman Kohli was eventually dismissed in the 45th over when he hoicked James Faulkner to Aaron Finch at long-on, notching 91 off 97.
Rohits knock was also the highest score by a visiting batsman against Australia in Australia since Viv Richards 153 not out for the West Indies at the MCG in 1979.
The partnership was Indias highest-ever second-wicket stand against Australia, eclipsing the 199 set by Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman in Indore in 2001.
Australias debutant pace pair Boland and Joel Paris failed to make a major impact. However, Barinder Sran bowled like a seasoned campaigner. Sran picked up Aaron Finch and David Warner and nearly had George Bailey that was turned down by umpire.
Boland (0-74) was solid early before leaking 30 runs from his last two overs after bowling some full tosses that were dispatched, while Paris (0-53 off eight overs) couldnt snare a breakthrough despite some close calls.
But it wasnt all bad news for Boland, who snared an excellent diving catch to give Faulkner (2-60) one of his two wickets. Josh Hazlewood led the bowling brilliantly in the absence of pace stars Mitchell Starc and James Pattinson.
Steven Smith was declared Man of the Match for his effortless 135-ball 149.
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