Warner, Finch share record-stand as Australia thrash India by 10 wickets - GulfToday

Warner, Finch share record-stand as Australia thrash India by 10 wickets

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Aaron Finch and David Warner celebrate during the first one day international cricket match between India and Australia in Mumbai. AFP

Openers David Warner and Aaron Finch struck dominant centuries in a record partnership to power Australia to a crushing 10-wicket win over India in the first one-day international on Tuesday.

Warner blasted 128 while captain Finch made 110 as Australia chased down their target of 256 in just 37.4 overs in Mumbai to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Paceman Mitchell Starc also played a key part with three wickets that helped bowl out India for 255 in 49.1 overs after the tourists elected to field first in their first 50-over outing since last year's World Cup.

Warner and Finch then put together an unbroken stand of 258, the highest partnership for any wicket in ODIs against India.

Finch-Warner-Kohli-750x450 Aaron Finch is congratulated by Virat Kohli after Australia won the first one-day international cricket match between India and Australia in Mumbai on Tuesday.  AP

"I think I've always had the hunger and desire for runs," Warner said after getting the man of the match award.

"It's just a great effort from our fast bowlers to knock India over for 255... We got off to a flier (while chasing), and we were very clinical in the end."

Warner reached his 18th ODI hundred in 88 balls with a boundary off Indian quick Jasprit Bumrah, jumping with joy and kissing his helmet to celebrate the knock.

Finch completed his century in 108 balls but it was Warner who remained in total control as he finished it off with two of 17 boundaries. He also hit three sixes.

KL Rahul, who made 47 for India, kept wicket after regular gloveman Rishabh Pant suffered a concussion following a blow on the helmet while batting.

It was the second-wicket 121-run stand between Rahul and Dhawan that put India on course for a big score but they slipped from 134-1 to 164-5 in the space of 35 deliveries.

Agencies

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