Despite being near to a clean sweep in the series betwixt India and Australia, the exploits of cricketers John Hastings and Kane Richardson in stopping India from accomplishing the highest ODI run-chase ever recorded in Australia was deemed a shocking upset.
The outlook did appear dim for Australia at one point. Indian players Shikar Dhawan and Virat Kohli combined for a 212-run stand that left India needing little other than 72 off 75 balls with nine wickets in hand. It appeared that they were headed for 349 and victory until hurler Hastings pulled off the improbable and produced a key double breakthrough of Indian skipper M.S. Dhoni and Dhawan.
Richardson then came along and finished what was started by Hastings by taking out Kohli over the course of four wickets. Richardson finished 5 – 68 and earned man of the match honours.
The match was played on an exceedingly flat pitch in Canberra, as the Manuka Oval is known. The win gave Australia a 4 – 0 match lead and they can complete the sweep on Saturday when the contest moves to Sydney.
