IND vs AUS, 1st ODI: Finch, Smith Fiery Tons Power Australia To Mammoth 374-Run Total At SCG

Fiery tons form skipper Aaron Finch (114) and Steve Smith (105) backed by quick-fire knocks from David Warner and Glen Maxwell helped the hosts set a herculean 375-run target for India in the 1st ODI being played at the SCG.

Australian skipper Aaron Finch in action in Ist ODI at SCG (Getty Images)

Australia posted a mammoth 374-run total batting first against India in the first ODI being played at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). Fiery tons form skipper Aaron Finch (114) and Steve Smith (105) backed by quick-fire knocks from David Warner and Glen Maxwell helped the hosts set a herculean 375-run target for India. Batting first after winning the toss, Australian openers David Warner and Aaron Finch fended off a probing opening spell from the Indian speedsters and took time to settle down with the new ball doing a bit at SCG. Once they had their eye in, they broke the shackles and started opening their arms to hit the occasional boundary and milk the singles around to keep the scoreboard ticking. Openers Warner and Finch Laid Down Strong Foundation With Century Plus Opening Stand Skipper Virat Kohli brought in the spinners to break the opening stand but Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravindra Jadeja could not make an impact as both the Australian openers were watchful in negating any possible turn. While Warner was the aggressor, Finch played the consolidator's role complimenting the aggressive left-hander. Soon after skipper Finch got to his 28th ODI fifty, the openers brought up the century stand in the 19th over and laid a strong platform for the hosts to build a solid total. Warner followed his skipper's and got to his 22nd fifty in ODIs.

????????

This is the third century partnership between David Warner and Aaron Finch since #CWC19 ???? Are they the best opening pair in ODI cricket right now? Follow #AUSvIND ???? https://t.co/CJnCSbUTV6 pic.twitter.com/8kFu2wsQnV — ICC (@ICC) November 27, 2020

Mohammad Shami eventually broke the 100+ opening partnership as Mohammed Shami had Warner edge one delivery straight into the gloves of wicket-keeper KL Rahul. Smith and Finch Accelerate In Middle Overs Steve Smith joined skipper Finch and picked up the scoring rate by milking singles and rotating the strike with effortless ease . Smith soon changes gears and accelerated with a flurry of boundaries to take Australia past the 250 mark. Finch fell to Bumrah but not before notching up his 17th ODI century.

????

17th ODI hundred for Aaron Finch and his second of the year. One of the best ????#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/Pby4kr51lo — ICC (@ICC) November 27, 2020

Maxwell Provided Late Flourish With Whirlwind Cameo India pegged the Aussies back a bit as leg spinner Chahal dismissed Marcus Stoinis for a duck. Hard hitting batsman Glen Maxwell joined Steve Smith to provide the late impetus down the order with a flurry of hits over the fence. The 'Big Show' scored a whirlwind 18-ball 45 run knock tonking the Indian bowling attack to all parts of the ground. After Maxwell's departure, Smith continued the onslaught against the Indian bowlers and got to his ton in just 61 deliveries.