The Odds

Sportsbet – Cricket International Triangular Series Feb 17th

Cricket – International Triangular Series

February 17th – Australia v Sri Lanka

A match-winning innings of 44 unbeaten from captain MS Dhoni led India to a four-wicket victory over Australia in the fourth match of the triangular Commonwealth Bank Series at Adelaide Oval. India still required 13 off the last over to win before Dhoni crashed a six high over long-on. A disastrous no-ball from Clint McKay presented the Indian skipper with a lifeline after he was caught on the boundary. India ran two from the no-ball and Dhoni then scored three from the next ball to guide his team to only their second victory over Australia in all formats this summer.

Aussie debutante Peter Forrest scored 66 and veteran David Hussey added 72 as Australia reached 269 for eight, their biggest total of the series. Forrest became the second Australian to score a half-century on their debut in this series following Matthew Wade. After the loss of the early wickets of Ricky Ponting (6), David Warner (18) and skipper Michael Clarke (38), Forrest smashed five boundaries and two sixes which, assisted by Hussey’s excellent innings, helped set up Australia’s respectable total.

Gautam Gambhir’s 92 seemed to have put India on course for a comfortable victory but a mid-innings wobble meant the drama went right to the last over. Sharma had looked in good form, having been brought in to replace Sachin Tendulkar. However, after a 76-run stand with Gambhir, he got complacent and was out caught when attempting to hit Ryan Harris over mid-on. The Australians sensed a way back into the game when Gambhir was given out following a very debatable lbw decision that on review showed McKay’s delivery was pitched well outside leg stump. Dhoni and Suresh Raina (38) gradually stabilised the faltering Indian innings and put together a 61-run partnership before Raina was clean bowled by McKay to leave the game in the balance.

SportsBet have 30 markets open on the Australia v Sri Lanka game. Australia pay $1.45 on the head to head with Sri Lanka paying $2.75. David Warner pays $4 to be top Australian run scorer ahead of Ricky Ponting and Matthew Wade ($4.50). Peter Forrest is next, paying $6.00 after his superb debut innings against India. Other markets include Man of the Match, Team to score most sixes and method of first dismissal.