Read the article of Australia vs India 11th Match Benson & Hedges World Series Cup 1980/81 - Benson & Hedges World Series Cup one-day international tournament of the 11th ODI match played between India and Australia at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne in 11th January 1981.
Openers Graeme Wood's unbeaten 98, Allan Border's 39 and Doug Walters' unbeaten 43 steers to Australia convincing seven-wicket victory over India and secure a their place in final in the 11th match of a Benson and Hedges World Series Cup.
INDIA scored 192/5 (50 Overs) with top scorer by Sunil Gavaskar 80 (142) and Dilip Vengsarkar 46 (60)
Australia best bowler by Greg Chappell 2/23 (10) and Trevor Chappell 2/41 (9)
AUSTRALIA chased 193/3 (47.2 Overs) with top scorer by Graeme Wood * 98 (155) and Doug Walters * 43 (67)
India best bowler by Dilip Doshi 1/38 (10) and Sandeep Patil 1/43 (10)
This match reported by Brian Mossop (Third Party Reference from SMH)
India lost the match but regained their dignity as a Graeme Wood-inspired Australia virtually wrapped up a place in the Benson and Hedges World Series Cup finals at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
''Dial a cricket champ — 0, 0, 0, 21, 9' blazed one telling sign draped over the balcony of Bay 13 to let the world know at least one spectator's thoughts on Telecom's latest money-spinner.
The "champ" was Wood, and the 'number" a cutting comment on the scores the left-handed opener has strung together in recent matches — even if it did omit his 11 against India in Sydney last week. "It might have helped," Wood said after cracking an unbeaten 98 as Australia made 193-3 with 16 balls to spare, in reply to India's 192 off 50 avers.
Wood, given at least two reprieves during his 210-minute innings that included eight boundaries, fell only marginally short of becoming the fourth Australian after Alan Turner, Greg Chappell and Allan Border to score a century in a one-day international.
"A hundred in a Test match means a lot, but it does not mean so much in a one-day game," Wood said, nursing a left index finger that has been bent by two recent breaks.
Doug Walters, who scored 43 in an unbroken partnership of 96 with Wood, encouraged the opener along after Australia had lost 97-3. "Freddie (Walters) was very good to bat with," Wood said of the veteran batsman, who is treading a golden path in his comeback and benefit year. But if it was Wood's day — he carried off the man-of-the-match award — it was anything but a deserving celebration for Kim Hughes, the Australian vice-captain.
Hughes, 26, became the father of twin boys, Sean and Simon, on Friday night, and arrived in Melbourne only hours before the match after an overnight flight from Perth.
It was a dash for nothing. He was run out without facing a ball when he scrambled back unsuccessfully after being called through for a second run during his one-minute appearance in the middle.
Australia, however, were well on the way to victory, Wood and Border (39) having shared an opening stand of 69 before Greg Chappell lost his wicket for only seven runs when he tried to sweep Dilip Doshi, the left-arm spinner. But even in defeat the Indians regained some prestige as their batsmen shook off the horrors of the past week and rebuilt shattered confidence.
Sunil Gavaskar, the Indian captain, led the way with a knock of 80 after losing the toss and being sent in to bat. The slow wicket was ideal for innings-building, and Gavaskar at long last put his head down, got behind the line, and spent 163 gratifying minutes defying an Australian attack which left out Rodney Hogg.
Gavaskar, who had to leave the field with a stomach upset during the Australian innings, was far happier at the end of the day. "it would have been even better if we had managed a win for the team," he said.
The only dampeners of the day were India's slow over rate and a hamstring injury to Syed Kirmani, the Indian wicket-keeper, although Gavaskar expects him to be fit for Thursday's match with Australia in Sydney.
While the Australians managed to bowl 17 overs for each of the first two hours, the Indians were capable of only 14 overs an hour —even when using Doshi.
A concerned Australian Cricket Board met the managers of all three teams in Melbourne on Saturday and, under the terms of the limited-over conditions, will implement fines.
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