Tri-Series: SCG ODI Washed Out; India Set Up Virtual Semifinal vs England
India and Australia shared two points each as rain abandoned play in Sydney.
Monday's tri-series one-day international between Australia and India at the Sydney Cricket Ground was abandoned due to rain. The outcome means India will play England at Perth's WACA Ground on Friday for a place in the final of the one-day tri-series. (Scorecard | Blog)
After a delayed start, with returning Australian captain George Bailey winning the toss and electing to bowl, the Indian innings lasted just 16 overs before the players were forced from the field. (Shikhar Dhawan, a flat-track bully exposed Down Under?)
India were 69 for two, with opener Ajinkya Rahane on 28 and Virat Kohli on three. (Clarke powers through wet training session in SCG)
The winner of that game will face Australia -- who are unbeaten in four matches in the series -- in Sunday's final in Perth.
While the match was brief, it lasted long enough to confirm the shaky form of opener Shikhar Dhawan.
With Rohit Sharma out injured, Dhawan has been holding onto his place. But he failed again, making just eight before being caught by Aaron Finch off the bowling of Mitchell Starc (1-11).
The 29-year-old has made just 11 runs in three innings in the tri-series at 3.66, after making 168 runs in the preceding Test series against Australia at 28.
The other man to fall was Ambati Rayudu, superbly caught for 23 by David Warner off the bowling of Mitchell Marsh (1-21).
The return of Marsh was one of four changes to the Australian team, with Bailey also recalled after serving a one-match ban for slow over rates.
Spinner Xavier Doherty and paceman Josh Hazlewood also came into the side, with Pat Cummins, Moises Henriques, Cameron White and Gurinder Sandhu all missing from the side that beat England on Friday.
India recalled paceman Ishant Sharma and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja for the game, but neither saw any action.