Thaindian News

Sydney, Feb 1 (IANS) A sizzling 72 from Matthew Wade took Australia to 171 for four against India in their first T20 International at the ANZ Stadium here Wednesday.

Wade, who has been preferred over wicket-keeper Brad Haddin for the initial part of the upcoming ODI series, proved his worth by smashing his first fifty in the shortest format. Wade was involved in healthy partnerships with opener David Hussey (42), David Warner (25) and Travis Birt (17) in a session halted by a brief spell of rain.

For India, fast bowler Vinay Kumar (1/28) and leggie Rahul Sharma (1/27) were the pick of the bowlers on a belter of a pitch. Sharma had a tough time fielding off his bowling as he dropped Birt in the ninth over and opposition skipper George Bailey towards the end.

Warner and Wade set the tone for a big score, hitting 38 off the first 23 balls, before the former mistimed one off Vinay Kumar with Suresh Raina taking the skier. Warner’s cameo included a remarkable switch-hit off Ravichandran Ashwin (1/34), tonking it several rows over extra cover.

Wade struck five fours and two sixes in his 43-ball innings. He crossed the 50-run mark with massive six off Ravindra Jadeja (0/23) and forged a 56-run stand with Hussey to take the team to a formidable total. The southpaw was bowled shortly after the rain break, missing a quicker one off Raina.

Hussey hit three sixes in his 30-ball knock.