Australia beat India, Australia won by 6 wickets (with 26 balls remaining)

Rahul Dravid chose to bat first. Remember, the last time India beat Australia chasing was hmm.... ahh..... 1998. Yep, that desert-storm by Sachin Tendulkar. So it seemed a pretty wise decision. India did well at the start before slowing in the middle and were unable to break free at the end. 249 looked to be a defendable total but Australia never looked back after a blazing start.

This is Sriram Veera, and along with Jamie Alter, signing off for the day. Please join us on November 1st for the first semi-final. Till then, goodbye and goodluck.

45.4

Patel to Martyn, FOUR runs

That's it... Martyn gets the winning runs. Flicks a low full-toss past midwicket. Martyn gets all pumped up, hops and skips in joy. The pumped-up fist is also on display and why not. Australia have knocked out India and are through to the semi-finals.

45.3

Patel to Martyn, 2 runs

Well-directed bouncer this time, swatted away past square-leg.

45.3

Patel to Martyn, 1 wide

Munaf doesn't tease Martyn. Bangs in a bouncer down the leg side.

45.2

Patel to Clarke, 1 run

Gets an outside edge to thirdman this time. Again the intent was to defend - he is trying to tease us a bit I think .

45.1

•

Patel to Clarke, no run

Clarke leans forward, head over the ball, left elbow high and pushes a length-delivery to cover!

Over45

3 runs

AUS 244/4CRR: 5.42 RRR: 1.20

DR Martyn 67 (102b 7x4)MJ Clarke 1 (5b)

IK Pathan1/42 (7)

44.6

•

Pathan to Martyn, no run

Martyn was looking for a single to retain the strike but couldn't get Pathan away. Choked him with a length-delivery on the off and middle.

44.6

Pathan to Martyn, 1 wide

Down the legside, faint tickle could have fetched Martyn a four but ...

44.5

Pathan to Clarke, 1 run

gets Martyn on strike with a push-drive to midwicket

44.4

•

Pathan to Clarke, no run

no confusion this time, lets it go through to Dhoni

44.3

•

Pathan to Clarke, no run

Clarke is beaten outside offstump. He pushes outside the line of a slanted delivery. Acts as if he intended to leave it but Mate! you can't fool the camera!

44.2

Pathan to Martyn, 1 run

on the hips.. tucked away behind square-leg

Can Australia win? er.. in this over ie...

44.1

•

Pathan to Martyn, no run

Martyn moves outside legstump, Pathan pushes it outside off, Martyn doesn't chase it.

Over44

11 runs

AUS 241/4CRR: 5.47 RRR: 1.50

MJ Clarke 0 (2b)DR Martyn 66 (99b 7x4)

MM Patel0/53 (8)

43.6

•

Patel to Clarke, no run

in the zone outside the offstump, left alone. Give it a whack little pup!

43.5

•

Patel to Clarke, no run

well outside the offstump, Clarke covers the stumps, shoulders arms

43.4

Patel to Martyn, 1 run

Again he backs away, Munaf keeps it on the stumps, chopped down to thirdman

43.3

Patel to Martyn, FOUR runs

Only ten runs left now. Martyn backs away to drill a blistering square-drive past point.

43.2

Patel to Martyn, FOUR runs

Martyn peppers the cover fence again. Elegant inside-out drive past extra cover. No fuss.

43.1

Patel to Martyn, 2 runs

Over43

2 runs, 1 wicket

AUS 230/4CRR: 5.34 RRR: 2.85

DR Martyn 55 (95b 5x4)

IK Pathan1/39 (6)

42.6

Pathan to Symonds, OUT

Pathan gets a cheap wicket. Symonds backed away to slog, missed and was cleaned up.

Andrew Symonds b Pathan 20 (24b 3x4 0x6 36m) SR: 83.33

Meanwhile half the crowd have left! Don't want to see Australia win!

42.5

•

Pathan to Symonds, no run

India vs Australia, 18th Match at Mohali, Oct 29 2006 - Match Result