After five days of gripping test cricket Nathan Lyon’s seven second innings wickets were the difference between two teams desperate for a win in Adelaide in a match that has already been described as “perfect”. For vastly different reasons the two supremos of World cricket needed a win. In Australia’s case it was for their colleague, their friend and their inspiration, Phillip Hughes; four of their players, Brad Haddin, David Warner, Nathan Lyon and Shane Watson were all playing in the tragic game in which Hughes was hit. India too had every reason to win this game. Their horrid record in Australia needed remedying; their captain was missing and the stand-in was captaining for the first time; and they couldn’t take a backwards step against Mitchell Johnson.
The result of both team’s ambitious intentions was an amazing spectacle featuring tremendous individual performances and ebbs and flows befitting of a battle between two proud cricketing nations. The match culminated in a final day where each of the three results were possible. Chasing an unlikely 364 for victory India set about their task diligently initially, and then later aggressively. Viral Kohli and Murali Vijay were the stars sharing a 185 run partnership that sent both sets of fans to the edge of their seats. They were bought together after Shikhar Dhawan had been given out caught behind in what looked like only chest, and Cheteshwar Pujara had become Nathan Lyon’s first victim.
Criticisms of Lyon in the past have revolved around his inability to take big wickets in the fourth innings of matches, and as the monumental partnership continued those criticisms only strengthened, despite some blatant LBW calls that should have gone his way. However, as a win started to look possible for the tourists, Vijay inexplicably missed a straight one on 99 to open the floodgates. From there Lyon tore through the rest of the Indian line up through a combination of accurate bowling, poor umpiring decisions, and brainless batting. His figures of 7-152 gave him 12 for the match and delivered the win Australia were desperately seeking.
India’s last session implosion was ambitious as it was reckless. Kohl’s aggressive attitude during his 175-ball 141 clearly rubbed off on his team as the lower order tried in vain to get their side over the line. Kohl’s knock (or knocks for that matter – he also scored 114 in the first innings) did not deserve to be in losing efforts, but he will rue his miscue off Lyon when shepherding the tail was the more sensible option.
The generous target of 364 set by Australia was predominantly due to the loss in overs from Wednesday’s rain, and David Warners match strike-rate. The destructive leftie amassed hundreds in both innings’; striking at 88 and 61 to give Australia the time needed to bowl India out on the final day. He was supported by old captain Michael Clarke (128), and new captain Steven Smith (162* and 52*) who both displayed supreme confidence at the wicket. Michael Clarke’s knock was especially brave after he entered the game with an injury cloud and left the game under a much worse career threatening injury cloud.
The GABBA hosts the second match in the series and will test the fragile Indian batting lineup, whereas personnel changes may threaten Australia’s momentum. Both Sportsbet Australia and Ladbrokes Australia have predicted an easy series win for Australia on the back of the first up win. Their series betting odds are:
Sportsbet Australia Series Market
Australia $1.06
Draw $14.00
India $26.00
Ladbrokes Australia Correct Score Market
Australia 3-0 – $3.25
Australia 4-0 – $3.50
Australia 3-1 – $5.00
Australia 2-1 – $6.50
Australia 2-0 – $7.00
Draw 2-2 – $19.00
Draw 1-1 – $29.00
India 2-1 – $34.00
Australia 1-0 – $51.00
India 3-1 – $101.00
Australia 7 for 517 dec (Smith 162*, Warner 145, Clarke 128) and 5 for 290 dec (Warner 102) beat India 444 (Kohli 115, Lyon 5-134) and 315 (Kohli 141, Vijay 99, Lyon 7-152) by 48 runs
Betfair:
Bet on Henrik Stenson to become the BMW PGA Championship Winner.
Paddypower:
Back Australia to take the Ashes home with them.
Betway:
Back Rafael Nadal to become the Mens French Open Winner.
Coral:
Back One For Arthur to win the Grand National.
Bet365:
Back Mexico to win the Confederations Cup.
