BINGA UNLEASHED!!!

As rain played spoilsport on a day when the ball did most of the talking, I witnessed one of the finest spells of fast and accurate bowling in ODI cricket in recent times. Brett Lee (Binga) continued from where he left off in the test series and showed why he is Australia's premier fast bowler in both forms of the game. His figures of 5 for 27 in 9 overs with 2 maidens was a stupendous effort on a day when the likes of Bracken and Noffke went for over 5runs an over. Mitchell Johnson didnt bowl too badly but it was Lee's spell that shook the Indian top and middle order.

After electing to bat first, India lost Sehwag early as he dragged a Nathen Bracken delivery back onto his stumps from outside off. Lee got rid of Sachin after the master had stepped back onto his stumps in an attempt to run down a rising delivering from Lee to square leg. Gambhir and Rohit Sharma were building up a good partnership until Ponting brought back Lee for a second spell in which he removed Rohit Sharma of the last ball of his seventh over. I am sure that would have been Lee's final over of that spell if not for Sharma's wicket. Instead, Lee went on to do more damage. He welcomed Manoj Tiwary (making his debut) to the big league with a bouncer. After a series of bouncers, Lee bowled a fast inswinging yorker and it crashed into Tiwari's middle and off stump. Between the 20th and 25th over, India slipped from 91-2 to 102-6.

Dhoni and Pathan and later Dhoni and Bhajji took India to a respectable total of 194 all out in 45 overs. Lee came back to bowl the final over of the innings only to pick up Dhoni and Bhajji in the process and round-off what was a tremendous display of fast bowling. This was Lee's seventh five wicket haul in one day internationals and I don't think there are too many bowlers playing today who can match that.

The batting of Gautam Gambhir and Rohit Sharma must have pleased the Indian camp. I was particularly impressed with Rohit Sharma who hit some exquisite square and cover drives. Ian Chappell on air said, "India may well have found a replacement for Sachin at no. 4 when he retires from test cricket in Rohit Sharma". A statement like this from an Australian great speaks volume of Rohit Sharma's talent. It is important that the selectors now persist and keep faith in young talent like Rohit, as the lad is just going to get better with every outing. As far as the Indian bowling goes, we saw a glimpse of what Sreesanth and Ishant Sharma could do on a seaming track with good bounce. The deliveries that got rid of Hopes and Ponting would have troubled most batsmen around the world. If only the Indian batsmen could put up a decent total for their bowlers to defend, India may well be able to give it back to the Aussies as they did in the Perth test.

However, I am concerned about the Indian team combination as well as the batting line-up. If I were Dhoni, I would ask Sachin to bat at 3 or 4 as it would provide a much more stable outlook to this weak middle order. I would stick with the eleven that he put out on the park today for a game or two, but if that does not work out I would look to play an extra spinner in Piyush Chawla. Aussies have not seen a lot of this little fella and he might just surprise them with his top spinners and googlies. Also, assuming India puts up a big total, Dhoni can have the field spread out on these big grounds. I hope Chawla has caught up with Shane Warne as there is nothing better than learning from the 'King of Spin' himself.

In the end, it was a game that I will remember for one man's excellent display of fast and accurate bowling. Lee was at his lethal best and if not for the rain, India may have well been on the losing side yet again after that forgettable 20-20 loss on friday.