Steve Smith and Alex Carey‘s well-constructed half-centuries helped Australia reach 264 all out against India in the Champions Trophy semifinal in Dubai on Tuesday, despite Indian bowlers maintaining consistent pressure.
Australian captain Smith scored 73 runs from 96 balls with four boundaries and one six after winning a crucial toss. However, the Australian batting lineup failed to capitalise on favorable pitch conditions at DICS, losing wickets to poor shot selection.
Smith anchored the Australian innings by forming three key partnerships of over 50 runs. He added 52 runs with Travis Head, 56 with Marnus Labuschagne, and 54 with Alex Carey, who scored 61 runs off 57 balls including eight fours and one six.
The Australian innings could have posted a higher total if these partnerships had continued longer. Each partnership ended unexpectedly, starting with Head’s dismissal.
Head’s innings of 39 runs was marked by several lucky escapes. These included a dropped catch by Shami off his own bowling in the match’s first legal delivery, a close run-out chance, and multiple inside edges that narrowly missed the stumps.
Despite his fortunate innings, Head played some impressive shots, including a flicked six off Hardik Pandya and three consecutive boundaries against Shami.
Australia recovered from losing Cooper Connolly early, who replaced the injured Matthew Short as Head’s opening partner.
Chakravarthy dismissed Head when he skied a catch to Shubman Gill in the deep.
Labuschagne was trapped leg before wicket by Ravindra Jadeja, who finished with figures of 2/40.
Josh Inglis’s promising innings ended when he softly pushed Jadeja’s delivery to Virat Kohli at short covers.
Smith continued to bat with excellent control, highlighted by a perfectly timed straight six off Jadeja.
Smith’s innings ended when he unsuccessfully charged at a full toss from Shami, which hit his stumps.
Glenn Maxwell arrived at the crease with Australia at 198 for five with 13 overs remaining.
Maxwell’s attempt at a back-foot punch against Axar Patel resulted in his dismissal, missing an opportunity to build a substantial innings.
Carey showed determination and built a valuable 34-run partnership with Ben Dwarshuis for the seventh wicket, helping Australia cross 250 runs.
Carey’s innings ended when he was run out attempting a second run, thanks to Shreyas Iyer’s direct hit.
While chasing over 250 runs in a semifinal presents a challenge, India would be relieved as they initially faced the prospect of pursuing more than 300 runs.
