Clarke impresses with ton
Australian fans enjoyed Michael Clarke's highest ever ODI score
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Saturday, 29, Sep 2007 06:18
Michael Clarke hit a strong130 before Australia's first one-day clash with India was brought to a premature end by rain in Bangalore.
The New South Wales batsman's highest one-day score from his 113 matches laid down a marker for the remaining four day-night fixtures in the series.
Initially it had been India who seized the upper hand with the early wickets of Andy Gilchrist (12) and Brad Hodge (0), leaving Australia on 18-2.
Clarke put on 60 for the third wicket with Matthew Hayden before Shanthakumaran Sreesanth bowled Hayden for the second of his three wickets. When Andrew Symonds departed shortly afterwards, Australia were in trouble on 90-4.
But Clarke and Brad Haddin (69) continued at a steady five an over for 144 stabilising runs before the latter fell attempting to raise the pace.
A 25-ball 37 from James Hopes took Australia to 307-7 from their 50 overs, with Sreesanth's 3-55 the pick of the bowling.
Seventeen balls of India's innings were possible before rain brought the players off the field. Sachin Tendulkar had enough time to score a six-ball duck with Mitchell Johnson taking the prized scalp before India finished on 9-1.
Australia were keen to continue but the umpires insisted there was not enough time to complete the minimum 20 overs needed for a result.
Clarke and his team-mates will have to wait until Tuesday for the second match between the two sides.