ODI preview / Frank Gregan / 02 November 2009 / Leave a comment

While their hosts having been racking up huge scores, the Aussies have lost their touch at the crease. Frank Gregan, who backed Ponting and co., believes that the tourists won't go down without a fight.

"The market to watch is the series winner. Australia have been traded as low as [1.43] and as high as [6.0]."

For the first time in a very long time Australia go into the fourth ODI against India in Mohali as outsiders. Ricky Ponting's side are not used to the underdog tag and it will be interesting to see how they react. This has been a fascinating series so far and after the first contest in Vadodara it looked as if it was going to be business as usual when the Aussies went 1-0 up.

Even during that win, the Aussies were not the usual cocky and well oiled machine that we are used to seeing. They came close to throwing away a match that looked over when Dhoni fell during the 38th over leaving his side needing 107 runs to win with only four wickets remaining. The Aussies got home with four runs to spare but the Indians walked off with their heads held high and their confidence intact.

India have earned the nickname 'the flat track bullies' over the years and they showed their true colours in the second ODI in Nagpur. MS Dhoni led from the front and hit a sparkling 124 off 107 balls and was ably supported by Gautam Gambir (76) and Suresh Raina (62) as they amassed a colossal total of 354. The Australian's got nowhere near the target and it became a case of 'game on' as far as the series was concerned.

Having recommended (and backed) Australia to win the series, I confess I was apprehensive prior to the toss for the third contest. It was a crucial toss which went Ponting's way. He elected to bat and the pulse rate declined but the Aussies fell victim to the 'flat track syndrome. They lost only one wicket during the first 30 overs but forgot one of the basic rules of batting. Score runs!

There is no doubt that it was difficult to get the ball away on that wicket but at least die trying! Their run rate was about as quick as Rudi Koertzen's 'out' finger and they reached a set a miserable target of 230 which Dhoni's men reached with 10 balls to spare. The unthinkable had happened - an Aussie side hadn't had a go - and paid the price!

The gloom and doom continues for the tourists with the news that Brett Lee will miss the remainder of the series with an elbow injury. Lee is adamant that his injury has not been caused as a result of his participation in the Champions League Twenty20 but his coach, Tim Nielsen is about as happy with Lee as Simon Cowell is with John and Edward!

Nielsen had already voiced his disapproval of the scheduling of the Champions League so close to the one day series and has stated that Lee's injury is "stress related." Lee has suffered with injuries all year and spent the Ashes summer carrying drinks and bowling in the nets. He is unapologetic about turning out for his home state of NSW in the CLT20 but he'll be 33 next week and he has a difficult choice to make. He's at the age when too many visits to the well will result in a drought so he has to be selective about what cricket he plays.

Australia are [2.2] going into today's contest with the Indians at [1.8 ]. The market to watch is the series winner. Australia have been traded as low as [1.43] and as high as [6.0]. It will continue to be a fascinating in play market and if Ponting and his men get turned over today they should be available to back in the region of [9.0]. If they lose, add to the portfolio at that price because they won't lie down, they'll battle until the end.

If they win stick with the recommendation at the start of the series of an Aussie win at anything bigger than [2.0] and enjoy the ride!

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