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India lose by 42 runs and have tough task in entering final

Australia keep unbeaten record intact with fourth win

Paceman Glen McGrath and Jason Gillespie in twin harness inflicted an early Indian batting debacle to beat India by 42 runs and maintain their unbeaten record in the tournament scoring their fourth win in the Aiwa Cup Tri-Nation limited over cricket encounter at the SSC grounds yesterday.

India, taking the field minus their skipper and batting star Sachin Tendulkar who had pulled out at the last minute due to aggravation of his back injury were chasing a victory target of 253 runs in 49 overs. Saurav Gangully gave his side a fairy tale start striking two boundaries but soon India had to undergo a horrific experience losing wickets at rapid succession.

The Aussie pace duo bowling with aggression and venom carved through the Indian top order batting and soon reduced India to 5 for 44 in the 13th over.

McGrath after conceding 12 runs in his first over, sent Gangully back with a lifting out swinger and then Gillespie accounted for Amay Khurasiya, Rahul Dravid and Vinodh Kambli in an inspired spell of fast bowling.

Indian batting looked a sorry state until the sixth wicket pair of Robin Singh and Sadagoopan Ramesh added some respectability to the total.

The sixth wicket pair assumed command as the Australian pace duo McGrath and Gillespie were off the firing line for a moment and added an invaluable 123 runs in 172 deliveries. They brought the score from 44 for 5 to 167 when left-hander Ramesh was caught by Mark Waugh for a well compiled 71 facing 123 deliveries and hitting four boundaries in a 179 minute stay at the wicket.

With the demise of Ramesh, Robin Singh - another left-hander batted exceptionally well with a judicious blend of caution and aggression and did the bulk of the scoring, defying pace and spin quite competently.

Shane Warne was introduced into the attack only in the 29th over in an attempt to break the Ramesh, Robin Singh link. Warne went wicketless for 41 runs in his seven overs.

Earlier India sending Australia into bat, did well to restrict the World Champions for 252 for 8 with two fine bowling efforts by their opening bowlers Javagal Srinath and Venkatesh Prasad. Besides these two, the Indian bowlers lacked the sharp penetrative qualities and the backing of the fielders to put the Aussies under much pressure.

Opener Adam Gilchrist and Andrew Symonds put the Aussies on a sound footing with a 110-run stand in 116 balls for the second wicket.They posted the 100 in 19.4 overs and were cruising towards a big total.Gilchrist struck his 50 off 58 balls with six fours but was dropped by acting skipper Jadeja at 60 and was finally out for 77 off 84 balls with nine fours. Andrew Symonds completed a fine 45 facing 60 deliveries and Ricky Ponting batted sedately for 32 facing 46 balls with two fours.

With this defeat India's chances of making the final looks remote. India will meet Sri Lanka today at the SSC grounds.