Daijiworld Media Network
Melbourne, Feb 5: The first match of the CB Tri-series between India and Australia is under way here at the MCG. Rain has marred play after Australia made a shaky start scoring 35 for the loss of two key wickets, that of attacking batsman D Warner and former captain Ricky Ponting.
Sri Lanka being the third team in the series, the tri-series will be watched with keen interest for the contest between current world champions India and former world champions Australia. In ICC rankings India is at the second spot, and Australia is on top.
Sachin Tendulkar is back to Indian ODI side for the first time after last year's World Cup final. He has not played a single ODI since then. Virendra Sehwag has been kept out of the team for injury reasons.
Indian fast bowler Zaheer Khan is also not included in the team. Praveen Kumar and Vinay Kumar are leading the Indian pace attack. Zaheer Khan has been rested, but he may play in the upcoming crucial matches. India has included two spinners in this match, with offspinner Ashwin and leg spinner Rahul Sharma playing in the final eleven.
Australian team is also relatively new except for a couple of senior players who played in the last World Cup. Ponting, Hussey, Clarke are the most experienced players in the current side. Brett Lee has been left out due to injury. He is expected to be out for at least the next couple of months.
Teams:
India (playing XI): Gautam Gambhir, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni(w/c), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Praveen Kumar, Vinay Kumar, Rahul Sharma
Australia (Playing XI): David Warner, Matthew Wade(w), Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke(c), Michael Hussey, David Hussey, Daniel Christian, Ryan Harris, Mitchell Starc, Clint McKay, Xavier Doherty
Some interesting facts on India-Australia ODI rivalry
* India and Australia have played 105 ODIs so far, Australia winning 61 and India only 36. Eight matches have ended without result.
* In India, India has won 18 matches out of 45 played. Australia have won 23. Four matches without result.
* In Australia, India's record is poor. Out of 36 matches played, India have won only 9, and lost 23. One match ended without result.