VB Series

At Sydney, January 22, 2004 (day/night). Australia won by two wickets (D/L method). Australia 5 pts, India 1 pt. Toss: India.

Lee hit a last-over six as Australia, arguably helped by Duckworth/Lewis recalculations, scampered home with a ball to spare in the tightest game of the series. Earlier, Laxman hit his second century against Australia within five days - all four of his limited-overs international hundreds had come against them - though his innings was leisurely compared to Yuvraj Singh's 122-ball 139. Even with both Tendulkar and Sehwag injured, India set a formidable target. But Gilchrist reached 50 from 31 balls, as if aiming to settle matters before the forecast storm arrived. It came and, when play resumed, he fell five short of a blistering century. Ponting stroked a brisk 42, but wickets fell regularly, and 11 were needed off the final over, from Balaji. Lee hit a six off the fourth ball to level the scores, and clinched victory off the next. In the second over of the day, Gilchrist became the first wicket-keeper to 300 dismissals in one-day internationals; Ganguly, his victim, was later fined for India's shocking over-rate, which referee Clive Lloyd said crossed the line into time-wasting.

Man of the Match: Yuvraj Singh. Attendance: 39,088.