Tri-Series, 4th ODI Highlights: Steve Smith Ton Powers Australia to Final
Australia chase down a mammoth 304 to advance into the final of the tri-series, courtesy Steve Smith's ton on captaincy debut.
Steve Smith became the first player to score a ton on his Test and ODI captaincy debut. Australia have remained unbeaten while England have won one and India have lost both their matches. Pressure mounting on India as they face the in-form Aussies next on January 26. Catch all the highlights here. (Scorecard | As it Happened)
16:46 (IST): That's that! Another century by the in-form Steve Smith helps Australia advance to the final of the tri-series. He hit 102 not out against England to help the hosts chase down 304 with three wickets remaining. Brad Haddin's innings was the turning point of the match as he scored a fiery 42 off 29 to lift Australia from 216/5 to 297/6. Steven Finn, Chris Woakes and Moeen Ali bagged two wickets each.
15:51 (IST): Australia have lost their fifth wicket. James Faulkner is the man to be dismissed. He played well for his 35. Chris Woakes gets the breakthrough to end a 55-run stand.
14.55 (IST): OUT! Glenn Maxwell is gone! He goes for the audacious slog-sweep but is caught in the deep by Joe Root. He goes for 37. Australia 161/4 (26.4 overs)
14:19 (IST): Australia have lost three in quick succession. Aaron Finch was the first one to go. Steven Finn continues to be England's best bowler as he strikes twice in one over. Shaun Marsh looked solid, but just falls short of his fifty. Cameron White fails to open his account. Australia 92/3 (16.3 overs), need 228 more to win.
13:40 (IST): Australia are off to a solid start, courtesy Aaron Finch and Shaun Marsh. The duo has added 67 runs for the opening wicket, but they still have a long way to go. Australia need 237 runs more to make it to the final.
12:40 (IST): That's it! England post a mammoth 303 for eight. Ian Bell top scores with 141, while Joe Root hit a solid 69. Moeen Ali played well at the top of the order, making 46. For Australia, Gurinder Sandhu bagged a couple of wickets.
11.52 (IST): Twin strikes for Sandhu! He removes Ian Bell (141) and Eoin Morgan (0) in the same over. England 254/4 (41.4 overs)
11.23 (IST): Bell and Joe Root are building a good partnership here. They've added 80 runs for the third wicket. England 212/2 (36.1 overs)
11.00 (IST): Hundred for Ian Bell! His 4th in ODIs! He gets there in 92 balls. England 177/2 (30.4 overs)
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10.20 (IST): James Taylor is gone! He hits it straight to Faulkner at mid-off. Moises Henriques gets a wicket. England 132/2 (22.4 overs)
10.05 (IST): OUT! Moeen Ali falls for 46! He is caught at short cover by the substitute fielder Xavier Doherty off James Faulkner. England 113/1 (17.4 overs)
09.30 (IST): The flat wicket at Hobart is helping England. Bell (39) and Moeen Ali (30) have done well to take England to 69/0 in 10 overs. This is now nicely setup for a high-scoring encounter.
09.06 (IST): Good start for England. Openers Ian Bell (27) and Moeen Ali (7) have got them off to a brisk start. England 34/0 in 5 overs
08.24 (IST): Australia win toss, decide to bowl vs England. Steve Smith leads the side. The hosts make three changes - Shaun Marsh, Moises Henriques and Cameron White in for David Warner, Shane Watson and George Bailey.
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Australia Chop and Change
A lot of changes for Australia. Steve Smith will lead the side in the absence of George Bailey, who misses out due to a suspension on the account of slow over-rate. Moises Henriques has been drafted into the squad for injured Shane Watson. It will be interesting to see if he gets a game. Australia have also rested David Warner.
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