Rain plays spoilsport on first India-Australia ODI

Bangalore, Sep 29 (UNI) Incessant rains for over 45 minutes soon after India started chasing a mighty target of 308 against Australia washed away the first of the seven match ODI series at the M Chinnaswamy stadium here tonight.

India were a mere nine for one after 2.4 overs when rain stopped play with Sachin Tendulkar trapped leg before by Mitchell Johnson in the second over. Gautam Gambhir (four) Irfan Pathan (zero) were at the crease when the match was abandoned after umpires Steve Bucknor and Suresh Sastri called off the play due to wet conditions of the ground.

Earlier Australia, after captain Adam Gilchrist and put the team to bat, made an imposing 307 with a career best ton by Michael Clarke (130) and his 144 run partnership for the fifth wicket with Brad Haddin (69). The match was called off nearly two hours after the match was halted by rains.

Clarke, who hit the third century of his career, lifted the Australian innings after the visitors made a disastrous start losing two wickets for 18 runs in the fourth over.

He in the able company of Brad Haddin (69) raised a match saving partnership of 144 runs for the fifth wicket to take Australia to a commanding position after the visitors lost four wickets for 90 runs. Clarke also added a quickfire 73 run partnership with J R Hopes (67) for the sixth wicket.

The puny Australian struck 10 well timed boundaries and hoisted three huge sixers, anchoring the Aussie innings admirably after senior openers Adam Gilchrist and Mathew Hayden returned early.

The second ODI would be played in Kochi on October two.

UNI