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Matthew Wade's stunning act as Australia make history against India

sam goodwin
Sports Editor
·5-min read
Matthew Wade, pictured here rescuing Australia in the first T20 against India.
Matthew Wade rescued Australia in the first T20 against India. Image: Fox Sports/Getty

Matthew Wade and Cameron Green have led Australia to their highest-ever successful T20 run chase against India, stunning the cricket world in dramatic scenes.

Green proved his class as an opener and Wade came to Australia's rescue yet again in a thrilling four-wicket victory in Mohali on Tuesday night.

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In reply to India's massive total of 6-208, Green made the most of his first chance at opener by pounding 61 off 30 balls as Australia reached 1-109 off 10 overs.

But Green's departure sparked a collapse of 4-36 as India put the clamps on Australia's run rate.

The Aussies needed 55 off the last 24 balls to secure an unlikely victory in the series opener, and Wade came to the party in emphatic fashion.

Wade, the hero from last year's semi-final victory at the T20 World Cup, smashed an unbeaten 45 off 21 balls to get Australia over the line with four balls to spare.

His knock included six fours and two sixes at a strike rate of 214, leaving the cricket world in awe.

It ensured Australia secured their second-highest successful run chase in T20 internationals, and highest ever against India.

Cameron Green's stunning knock as T20 opener

Plaudits for the victory must also go to Green, who produced a brilliant knock to show selectors what they will be missing out on at next month's T20 World Cup.

Green was a surprise omission from the T20 World Cup squad, but he didn't let that affect him as he got Australia's run chase off to a bumper start.

The 23-year-old smacked eight fours and four sixes to put the visitors on track for victory.

If Australia suffer an injury to one of their top-order stars leading up to the World Cup, Wade is backing Green to answer the SOS call.

"The plan was always for Green to open today," Wade said.

Cameron Green, pictured here in action during the first T20 between Australia and India.
Cameron Green in action during the first T20 between Australia and India. (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)

"The coach and captain feel like that's the best spot for him to find his feet at T20 level, and he showed tonight that it's going to be the spot for him going forward for a while.

"One, two, three are the positions that if something went wrong he would probably come in and fill.

"Josh Inglis can fill spots from three to the middle order. We probably see Greeny as that top order player if something happens and we needed to pull him (in) for the World Cup."

Green finished with 1-46 off three overs with the ball - which included being hit for three consecutive sixes to finish India's innings.

Those late heaves ensured India's total was their highest T20 score against Australia.

Matthew Wade and Pat Cummins, pictured here celebrating Australia's victory in the first T20.
Matthew Wade and Pat Cummins celebrate Australia's victory in the first T20. (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)

As good as Green and Wade were, India were made to pay dearly for a substandard display in the field.

Green was dropped on 42, Steve Smith (35 off 24 balls) received a life on 19, while Wade was grassed on 23.

Earlier, Pat Cummins and Green bore the brunt of the damage as opener KL Rahul (55 off 35 balls), Suryakumar Yadav (46 off 25) and Hardik Pandya (71no off 30) provided the fireworks for India.

Test skipper Cummins finished the match with figures of 0-47 off four overs, while spinner Adam Zampa (0-36) and Green also struggled.

Pace duo Nathan Ellis (3-30) and Josh Hazlewood (2-39) fared better.

with AAP

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