†AUSTRALIA v INDIA

At New Delhi, October 22. India won by 56 runs. Toss: Australia. The prospect of India's finishing second in this group, and so having to play Pakistan in a semi-final in Pakistan, lessened after their convincing victory. The pitch was ideal for strokeplaying batsmen; the outfield was fast and the boundaries were not too distant. Containment, therefore, was going to be the key, and with the ball coming on to the bat, the Australians' all-seam attack proved to be more vulnerable. Gavaskar and Srikkanth got India off to a flying start with 50 in ten overs, Sidhu hit his third successive fifty, and Vengsarkar (59 balls) and Azharuddin (47 balls), batting with authority and élan, added 65 in ten overs. Marsh and Boon (55 balls, seven fours) responded with 88 in eighteen overs, but the introduction of the left-arm spinners, Maninder and Shastri, after seventeen overs changed the complexion of the match. Turn, flight and a modicum of frustration brought about Australia's undoing. Waugh (53 balls) displayed technique and temperament, but while the spinners dictated the terms, Australia slipped further and further behind.

Man of the Match: M. Azharuddin.