Australia complete formalities to scoer 9 wicket win; go up 3-1

Vadodara, Oct 11 (UNI) Australia overhauled India's paltry total of 148 in just 25.5 overs after losing only one wicket to score a comprehensive nine-wicket victory over the hosts in the fifth one-dayer at the Reliance Cricket ground here today.

Set to score 149 for a win after left arm pacer Mitchell Johnson had ripped through the Indian batting line up taking 5 for 26, Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist gave the Aussies a steady start with 54 runs for the opening stand before Hayden was castled by R P Singh. Gilchrist then went after left arm spinner Murali Kartik hitting him for three huge sixes as Australia stamped their authority on the game.

Gilchrist, who had been out of form in this series so far, chose the right moment to give an ominous signal to the Indians that he is back in form, remaining unbeaten on 79 off just 77 balls inclusive of 10 fours and four huge sixes.

His captain Ricky Ponting was also unconquered on 39 when the winning runs were scored.

Hosts' captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni started off the Australian innings with a spinner handing over the new ball to Harbhajan Singh who did a decent job of containing the Aussies. But, with only 149 runs to defend it was only a matter of time before the visitors wrap up the game to go 3-1 up in the seven-match series with two matches still to play. Australia now cannot lose the series.

Earlier, Johnson ripped through the Indian middle order reducing the hosts to 43 for five and then bowling them out for 148 with only Sachin Tendulkar (47) offering any resisitance in his 400th match.

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