Buoyed by David Warner's and Mitchell Marsh's tons, Australia scored 330 for seven in the fifth and final cricket ODI against India at the SCG today.
Marsh scored a quick fire 102 from 84 deliveries, with nine boundaries and two sixes, as Ishant Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah bowled tightly at the depth to ensure a manageable target for India.
Marsh and Warner stitched a brilliant fifth wicket partnership of 118 runs, rescuing Australia from a precarious 117/4.
Warner , who missed a well-deserved ton at Canberra made no mistake this time as he took 113 deliveries for his knock.
His knock was a crucial one as Australia lost in-form Aaron Finch and Captain Steven Smith early of their innings His innings was studded with nine boundaries and three sixes.
Even after Warner's dismissal, Marsh carried on with wicketkeeper Mathew Wade, as the duo formed another crucial 85 run partnership for the sixth wicket, before the Indian bowlers fixed their act together at the death overs.
Among the bowlers, Bumrah had a memorable debut as he registered a figure of 2/40. Ishant too, had a modest figure of 2/60.
But Rishi Dhawan and Umesh Yadav went all parts of the ground as they conceded 156 runs together in their combined spell of 18 overs.
Earlier, Australia lost Finch cheaply as he was sent back to the pavilion by Ishant Sharma in the first over of the match.
Finch who scored a century in the previous game fell prey to the tall paceman as he put his leg before the wicket.
Debutant Jaspreet Bumrah then followed Ishant's footsteps by dismissing Smith for 28 as he was caught by Rohit Sharma at the Mid-on region.
George Bailey was then removed by Rishi Dhawan , as he top edged a slower delivery , giving a simple dolly to Ishant at the Long-on region.
Shaun Marsh had a horrid outing as he was run-out on seven, leaving Australia at 117/4.
India , already 4-0 behind the series, would like to prevent a 5-0 whitewash, while Australia would press for a final kill.
India needs a victory here to defend their number two status in the ODI Rankings, else the blue brigade might slip to number three in the ODI rankings.
India , struck by Ajinkya Rahane's injury has made two changes. Young Jaspreet Bumrah makes his debut, while Manish Pandey comes in at Rahane's place.
Australia, has brought in Shaun Marsh in place of Maxwell, who suffered a knee injury last match. Also Scott Boland , who has an ordinary outing in the series has replaced Kane Richardson. Richardson claimed a fifer in the last match to deny India a win.
Teams:
Australia: Aaron Finch, David Warner, Steve Smith (capt), Bailey, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Mathew Wade, James Faulkner, John Hastings, Scott Boland, Nathan Lyon.
India: Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Manish Pandey, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt), Gurkeerat Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Rishi Dhawan, Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma.