Clinical Australia crush Canada
An aggressive opening partnership of 183 helped Australia to chase down a target of 212 run easily against Canada to score a comprehensive seven wicket victory in group A match played at Bangalore.
Both openers Shane Watson and Brad Haddin hit some lusty blows to send Canadian bowlers and fielders for some leather hunt and both scoring at a more than ball.
Shane was very aggressive hitting the biggest six of the tournament during his 90-ball 94 that included nine fours and four sixes while Haddin consumed 84 balls to score his 88 punctuated with eleven fours and two sixes.
Both missed the century in their pursuit to finish the game as early possible with Canadian having no answers to their onslaught.
Once the pair was gone, Ricky followed them very quickly to continue his poor form in the tournament.
Michael Clarke and Cameron White eventually completed the formalities in 35th over to give Australia an easy win and keep their winning form continue in world cup.
Harry Baidwan who took his wickets tally in the tournament to 14 was only bowler who bowled well but hadn’t enough support and runs to work with.
Earlier, Canada slumped from a comfortable position when they were 150 for the loss of only two wickets to 211 all out against the Australia bowling effort that lacked venom in the early overs.
Australian comeback was led by Brett Lee who took four wickets while Shaun Tait and off spinner Jason Krejza claimed two wickets each to contribute to the Canadian fall.
After opting to bat first, Canada opener Hiral Patel launched a spirited aggression against Aussie new ball bowlers with Canada bringing up their fifty inside six overs.
Hiral who hit a 45-ball 54 played some delightful strokes both off backfoot and front foot to give Ricky Ponting something to ponder about and impressed one and all with his hand eye coordination.
He was severe on anything pitch short by playing some ferocious cut shots and dispatching Brett Lee over square-leg boundary for a six and brought his fifty off 37 balls including five fours and three sixes.
After his dismissal, skipper Ashish Bagai and Surkari steadied the innings by putting on 68 runs for the 3rd wicket but once they were separated it was Australian all the way after that.
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