Tri-series ODI: Australia win toss, elect to bat against India

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Australia won the toss and elected to bat against India in a critical match of the one-day tri-series here on Sunday.

Australia have suffered a setback with captain Michael Clarke out due to a stiff back. Returning all-rounder Shane Watson will lead the team in his absence. Australia have also left out Ryan Harris for Clint McKay.

India have discarded the rotation policy, as far as the batting order is concerned. All three openers, Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir are in the playing eleven. Rohit Sharma has been left out.

India though are hampered by lack of fit bowlers. Zaheer Khan and Vinay Kumar were unavailable for selection and hence Praveen Kumar has been drafted in for only his second game of the one-day series. Irfan Pathan and Umesh Yadav will be the other two fast bowlers.

Before the match, Sachin Tendulkar was awarded with honorary membership of the ground by the SCG Trust.

Teams:

India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (C), Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Ravinder Jadeja, Irfan Pathan, Umesh Yadav, Ravichandran Ashwin and Praveen Kumar.

Australia: Shane Watson (C), Matthew Wade, Peter Forrest,, David Warner, David Hussey, Mike Hussey, Dan Christian, Clint McKay, Brett Lee, Ben Hilfenhaus and Xavier Doherty.

Umpires: Billy Bowden ( New Zealand ) and Simon Taufel (Aus)

Third umpire: Simon Fry (Aus)

Match referee: Chris Broad (Eng).