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Clarke ton puts Aussies in charge

September 30, 2007 00:00:00


Michael Clarke's third century in one-day internationals helped Australia post 307-7 in the opening game of the seven-match series against India, reports BBC.
The world champions were struggling on 90-4 after Sree Santh (3-55) ripped through their top order in Bangalore.
But Clarke, who was lucky to survive an lbw shout on 31, hit three sixes in his 132-ball knock, putting on 144 with Brad Haddin, who made 69 in 83 balls.
Clarke was run out in the last over for 130 but Australia were well in charge.
They were led by Adam Gilchrist, with Ricky Ponting (hamstring) ruled out, while Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar returned for India after sitting out the World Twenty20.
And it was the Indians who were rampant early on as Gilchrist slashed Zaheer Khan to backward point and Yuvraj Singh hurled himself to his right to pull off a stunning catch.
Santh swung one in to trap Hodge in front, while Matthew Hayden pulled RP Singh for a six before Santh bowled him as he attempted a big heave.
When Andrew Symonds was plumb lbw to a slower Santh delivery the Aussies were in trouble and it could have got worse if Clarke had been dispatched in similar circumstances by the umpire when Irfan Pathan rapped his back pad.
But the right-hander survived and began to unfurl the kind of strokes which helped him make a Test century on debut at the same venue.
He punished a regular diet of poorly directed balls to reach his century in 108 balls, with two maximums coming in one over from spinner Ramesh Powar.
50 overs Australia 307 for 7 (Clarke 130, Haddin 69, Sreesanth 3-55) v India

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