MELBOURNE, 23 January 2004 — Australia beat India by two wickets with one ball to spare in a thrilling finish to a rain-interrupted One-Day International at Sydney Cricket Ground yesterday.
Yuvraj Singh (139) and Vangipurappu Laxman (106 not out) hit classy centuries for India but it was Brett Lee’s mighty six that will be remembered most in a pulsating clash between last year’s World Cup finalists.
Needing 11 runs to win the match from the final over with two wickets in hand, Lee and fellow fast bowler Andy Bichel took four from the first three balls. Lee then clubbed Lakshmipathy Balaji over the extra cover boundary and took a single from the fifth ball to seal victory. Australian cricket’s blond idol ran past the crease at the bowler’s end with his bat raised in triumph, finishing unbeaten on 12 from nine balls.
India made a huge total of 296 for four and Australia reached 225 for eight in 33.5 overs after they were set the revised target under the Duckworth/Lewis method.
Australia opener Adam Gilchrist smashed 95 from 72 balls, reaching his half-century in 31 balls with nine fours and one six but he fell in the 23rd over as the hosts lost three wickets in 12 balls. Captain Saurav Ganguly (3-41) and seamer Irfan Pathan (3-51) took three wickets apiece for India. Australia lost opener Simon Katich for two but Gilchrist and captain Ricky Ponting added 126 for the second wicket. Pathan removed Ponting for 42 and Damien Martyn for a first-ball duck, both caught behind, to reduce the tourists to 150 for three.
Pakistan Sack Cricket Selection Committee Ahead of India Series
In Karachi, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) yesterday sacked its selection committee ahead of the high-profile home series against India in March and April.
The five-man committee led by Amir Sohail has been replaced by a team headed by former Test captain Wasim Bari, a statement said.
The committee had been accused of nepotism over the selection of the Pakistan Under-17 team currently touring India, which includes the son of one of the selectors.
“The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Shaharyar M. Khan, has appointed former Test captain Wasim Bari as chairman of the National Selection Committee,” said a PCB press release.
Former Test bowlers Iqbal Qasim and Ehtshamuddin, and first-class cricketer Sultan Rana were named as the panel members.
