Australia Win Thriller by 3-runs, Lead Series 3-2

Sachin Tendulkar played sweep short during 175-runs innings

Hyderabad:Amazing finish to an amazing match! Australia held their nerves towards the end in a tight situation and they hence win by just 3 runs. They now lead the 7-match series 3-2 with couple of games to play.

India were chasing a mammoth 351 in their 50 overs but they still got closer with Tendulkar smashing a scintillating 175 off just 141 balls.The home side were off to flying start with Sehwag (38) again playing a cameo upfront.

The middle order failed miserably but Raina (59) got together with the Little Master and build on a stunning stand that almost took their side through. Jadeja (23) played a crucial role as well but again poor running between cost him his wicket. Once again, towards the end, the last wicket was almost there before a risky second got Kumar run out which sealed the victory for Australia.

The wicket was absolutely great as there were 697 runs scored on it. But still, debutant McKay and Watson bowled beautifully picking up three wickets each which counted a lot in the end.

Sachin Tendulkar is awarded the Man of the Match for his outstanding innings of 175 that took India and the match that closer. He seemed pretty disappointed that he couldn't win the match even after scoring that many runs.

This series is turning out to be a pretty tight one with no side letting off each other. The next match will now at Guwahati where both the sides will meet for the 6th ODI in a day encounter on Sunday.

Earlier, Tendulkar finally touched the magical 17,000-run mark in One-Day International cricket, when he completed the formality of scoring seven runs needed to reach another milestone in his glittering career.

Electing to bat first, a belligerent century stand between openers Shaun Marsh (112) and Shane Watson (93) powered an injury-hit Australia to an imposing 350 for four on Thursday.

Strapping Queensland all-rounder Watson smashed 93 off 89 balls with three sixes and eight fours, while left-handed Western Australian Marsh initially played the second fiddle before stepping up his run-rate to make his first ODI century in his 19th appearance.

The 26-year-old son of former Australian opener Geoff made a run-a-ball 112 with the help of two sixes and eight fours, putting on 145 runs for the first wicket with Watson.

Marsh was out in the slog phase, caught just inside the boundary line off Ashish Nehra.

Skipper Ricky Ponting too chipped in with a run-a-ball 45 and was also involved in a breezy 91-run stand for the second wicket with Marsh in 82 balls to set up the late assault in which the visitors added 105 runs in the last 10 overs, including 58 in the last five.

Cameron White (57 in 33 balls with 5 sixes and 2 fours) and Michael Hussey (31 in 22 balls with 2 sixes and one four) struck lusty blows against the three Indian pacers to lead Australia to their second-highest score against India in ODIs.

Brief scores
Australia: 350 for 4 (Marsh 112, Watson 93, White 57)
India: 347 (Tendulkar 175, Raina 59, Watson 3-47, McKay 3-59)
Results: Australia won by three runs
MOM: Sachin Tendulkar (India)