Rain To The Rescue

Rain came to India's rescue tonight when they were tottering at 35-5, forcingabandonment of the crucial tri-series one-dayer against Australia who had made amodest 244.

The Indians were set a revised target of 170 in 29 overs after raininterrupted play when they were 16 for no loss after five overs.

The game swung heavily in favour of Australia after the resumption asMitchell Johnson cut a swathe through the Indian top order, claiming fourwickets in eight balls.

The Indians, who were robbed off a possible victory in their rain-hit openingmatch against the West Indies after the D/L method was applied, were then savedby the heavy showers.

The teams were awarded two points each since the match was declared a 'noresult'.

Australia topped the table with seven points followed by the West Indies whohave five points and India with two, from two matches each.

The world champions take on the West Indies in the next match on Monday.

The 24-year-old Johnson claimed skipper Rahul Dravid (6) and Irfan Pathan offsuccessive deliveries in the sixth over.

Dravid was caught in the cover region when he slashed at a wide deliverybefore Pathan's timber was rattled by an express ball.

Johnson then lured Sachin Tendulkar (12) into a tentative drive for a catchbehind and then snared Yuvraj Singh (0) for a regulation catch in the slipcordon.

It gave the left-arm pacer his best career figures, 4-11.

Tendulkar, who announced his return to international cricket in style with anunbeaten 141 against the Caribbeans, was also to be blamed for the run out ofVirender Sehwag (8) when he turned back his partner a bit late on a third run.

Earlier, the Indian slow bowlers helped the team overcome an openingonslaught from the hard-hitting Shane Watson and restrict Australia to 244.

Watson, promoted up the order, slammed a 74-ball 79 to help the three-timeworld champions get off to a flier after captain Ricky Ponting elected to bat.

But India staged a dramatic comeback with spinners Harbhajan Singh and Sehwagthrowing a web around the Aussie middle order batsmen, eventually bowling themout with four balls remaining in the allotted 50 overs.

Harbhajan picked two for 26 and Sehwag, although wicketless, was equallyeffective to return with figures of none for 43 and also effected a smart runout of his own bowling.

Munaf Patel symbolised India's turnaround in fortunes as he, after conceding39 runs in his first seven overs, finished with three for 53.

The Australian innings was based on Watson's blistering knock and MichaelClarke's efficient 64.

While Watson faded after an explosive start, Clarke was instrumental inguiding the team past the 200 mark with his second successive fifty

Watson was reprieved when Harbhajan failed to hold on to his top edge offAjit Agarkar in the seventh over of the innings.

The right-hander made sure the Indians repented their mistake as he took aheavy toll on the seamers.

Agarkar (2-50) was guilty of not bowling to the field and was swatted for asix over mid-wicket and then a four by Phil Jaques (25) in the seventh overwhich cost 14 runs.

Patel surprisingly lacked pace and was at the receiving end of Watson's powerand suffered a treatment similar to that of his new ball partner.

Pathan showed no signs of rediscovering his lost rhythm and failed to provideany respite for the Indians.

His went for 32 runs in his four overs, and was thrashed for four boundariesby Watson in his last over.

Australia seemed set for a huge total when they crossed 150 in 25.1 overs butthe momentum swung suddenly with the introduction of the slow bowlers.

Watson fell to a sharp low catch by Suresh Raina while playing an on drive toHarbhajan.

The Punjab offie then had Mark Cosgrove when the left-hander turned his bladefor a simple catch to Dravid at first slip.

PTI