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India's Sachin Tendulkar - Source: Reuters -
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A remarkable innings of 175 in 141 balls by Sachin Tendulkar
proved in vain when Australia took a 3-2 lead in the series with a
thrilling three-run win over India in the fifth one-dayer on
Friday.
Chasing 351 for victory, the home team were bowled out for 347 with
two balls left after the brilliant Tendulkar became the first man
to reach 17,000 ODI runs.
He put on yet another batting masterclass to add 137 for the fifth
wicket with Suresh Raina (59) but debutant Clint McKay struck the
all-important blow for Australia when he removed Tendulkar with
India needing 19 from 18 deliveries.
Earlier, a maiden century by Shaun Marsh (112) and 93 from fellow
opener Shane Watson helped the visitors compile an imposing 350 for
four after opting to bat.
Man of the match Tendulkar set the pace as he anchored India's
reply before falling short of what would have been the second
highest successful run chase in ODI cricket.
He thumped 19 fours and four sixes as he tore into an
injury-weakened Australian attack, making his intentions clear when
he hit off-spinner Nathan Hauritz for two consecutive
sixes.
Slower ball
Paceman McKay, replacing the injured Brett Lee, claimed three
wickets and deceived Tendulkar with a slower ball he lashed to
Hauritz at short fine-leg.
It was the 45th ODI ton for Tendulkar on his 435th appearance. The
36-year-old also holds the records for the most Test runs (12,773),
test hundreds (42) and one-day hundreds.
India lost their last three wickets for 14 runs, two to run-outs,
as Australia stayed calm in a nerve-tingling finale.
Left-hander Marsh hit a run-a-ball 112 and put on 145 with Watson
and 91 for the second wicket with captain Ricky Ponting (45).
All-rounder Watson, who also took three wickets, cracked nine fours
and three sixes in his 89-ball knock before holing out in the deep
attempting to slog-sweep spinner Harbhajan Singh.
Marsh made the most of two reprieves, smashing eight fours and two
sixes, while Cameron White belted a 33-ball 57 with two fours and
five sixes.
White put on 80 with Michael Hussey (31 not out) for the fourth
wicket before falling to Praveen Kumar off the last ball of the
innings.
The sixth and penultimate match is in Guwahati on Monday.
Click here for the full scoreboard.
