Glenn Maxwell stays cool to set up series win for Australia

Glenn Maxwell.Glenn Maxwell.
Glenn Maxwell.
YORKSHIRE overseas player Glenn Maxwell missed out on a second one-day international hundred, but his 96 was enough to help Australia beat India by three wickets and clinch the five-match series 3-0 with two to play.

Virat Kohli struck his first hundred against Australia in Australia – a run-a-ball 117 – and was part of century stands with Shikhar Dhawan (68) and Ajinkya Rahane (50) but India were restricted to 295-6 at the MCG.

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John Hastings bagged a career-best 4-58 for Australia, who made life difficult for themselves with the bat after Shaun Marsh’s 62.

The hosts had to rely on Maxwell’s 83-ball show-stealer. He came in with Australia teetering on 167-4 after 30 overs.

While Maxwell kept the required rate in control, a good throw by Yadav from the deep saw Mitchell Marsh (17) run out.

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A thrilling run-chase left Australia needing 92 off 89 balls. Maxwell held his nerve after Matthew Wade lost his cool to sky a catch off Sharma.

Maxwell was aided by James Faulkner’s 21 off 25 balls and set up victory with seven deliveries to spare, though he was caught trying to reach his century.

Fast bowler Shaun Tait is in line to make his first international appearance in nearly five years after being named in Australia’s 17-man squad for the three-match Twenty20 series against India.

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The 32-year-old last featured for Australia in March, 2011 in a one-day international but is now exclusively playing in the shortest format. He will hope to earn a spot in his country’s squad for the World Twenty20 in India, which gets under way in March.

Off-spinner Nathan Lyon is another surprise inclusion, having never represented Australia in 20-over cricket despite playing 52 Tests, while Shane Watson has been retained despite being left out of the ODI series squad.