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Omulo Okoth in Johannesburg, South Africa
India grabbed a consolation victory over under-strength West Indies at the New Wanderers while Australia literally stole victory from the jaws of defeat to top their group and make the semi-final at Centurion on Wednesday.
It was Australia’s last ball two-wicket victory over Pakistan which created more drama, already being touted as the Champions Trophy’s most sensational match.
Australia sent Pakistan in to bat and restricted them to 205 for six in 50 overs, and then looked in firm control of the run chase, while Mike Hussey was at the crease as the left-hander breezed to 64 off 87 deliveries, which earned him man-of-the-match award. He was sent packing by a perfect yorker from Rana Naved ul-Hasan, sparking a middle-order collapse that saw Australia lose four wickets for 13 runs as they crashed to 187 for eight.
But Brett Lee (12) and Nathan Hauritz (9) kept their cool as they added 19 runs for the ninth wicket, scoring 18 off the last three overs, and four off the 50th over, to seal a thrilling victory.
Ricky Ponting’s side will play England in the first semi-final at Centurion today as Pakistan play New Zealand at the New Wanderers in Johannesburg tomorrow.
Seven wickets
India’s Praveen Kumar and Ashish Nehra shared six wickets to down West Indies by seven wickets but still went out of the ICC Champions Trophy.
India failed to advance to the semi-finals from Group A after Australia beat Pakistan earlier in the day. India end the group stage with a single victory while West Indies lost all three of their matches in the competition.
In a match watched by a sparse crowd at the 34,000-seater New Wanderers, India skittled West Indies for 129 in 36 overs.
Andre Fletcher was out for a duck as Kieran Powell and Travis Dowlin failed to register double digits, thanks to Seamer Kumar, who captured three for 22, left-arm swing bowler Nehra who took three for 31 and Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who claimed his first wicket in one-day international in Dowlin.
India’s reply saw them race to 130 for three off 32.1 overs thanks to a second-wicket stand of 92 from Dinesh Karthik (34) and Virat Kohli who finished unbeaten on 79.
After winning the toss and putting Windies in, India’s opening bowlers Kumar and Nehra swung the new ball well as West Indies slumped to 31 for four inside 11 overs.
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