Ponting salutes Australia solidarity

Doug Bollinger removes Virat Kohli as Australia put in a textbook fielding and bowling performance against India

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Australia captain Ricky Ponting was pleased with the way his players fought back to secure a 24-run victory in the fourth one-dayer against India in Mohali.

Australia, asked to take first strike, were bowled out for 250 despite half-centuries from Ponting and Cameron White.

In reply, Virender Sehwag had blazed a quick 30 at the start for the hosts and Sachin Tendulkar held the top order together with a solid 40, but Doug Bollinger made timely and consistent breakthroughs as India were bowled out inside 47 overs.

Ponting said: “It’s surely a good win for us, coming up short with the bat, but bowling and fielding very well.

“The series is level again, it has been up and down all the way through and no team has been able to grab the momentum. We are looking forward to the rest of the series.”

Ponting admitted the middle-order failure was a concern.

“We felt we had missed out on a few runs out there with the bat,” he said.

“At one stage it looked like we would get close to 300, but we didn’t capitalise on the powerplay.

Shane Watson celebrates after picking up the wicket of Ashish Nehra to wrap up victory for the Australians in Mohali

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“We lost a few wickets leading up to our powerplay again and that’s been a bit of a problem for us through the series so far.

“But the boys bowled exceptionally well tonight. India got off to a great start and Sehwag came and played his shots like he normally does and got them off to a flyer.

“I thought Bollinger was outstanding. He came on and his wickets probably brought us back into the game.”

From 196 for three, Australia were bowled out for 250 with four run-outs hastening their end, but the visitors hit back with two run-outs of their own with Ponting picking up the prized scalp of Yuvraj Singh.

“It was good to get a couple of run-outs,” Ponting said.

“Yuvi and I had a chat in the field and he called me a little bit slow, but I got one back on him tonight.

“We have worked hard on our fielding and I thought it has been at its best in the whole series tonight.”

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni admitted his side had not batted well enough.

“The target was gettable, the wicket was good and there was dew out there, but we needed to bat 50 overs and we didn’t,” he said.

“Our fielding was perhaps the best effort we have seen in more than a year. The bowlers were terrific as well and although Australia got off to a good start, we restricted them in the final powerplay.

“But you have to be at your best in every game and the moment you slack off you end up on the losing side.”