Chasing India's imposing total of 299/8 in 50 overs, Australia was bound to struggle. On a pitch with uneven bounce and keeping low, fluent stroke play was not really on. The fact that Australia's best ODI batsman Mark Waugh was out of the team with a fractured finger must have been a big let down for his twin brother Steve Waugh. Australia's policy of rotation seems not to be working; today they rested their in-form batsman Matthew Hayden. Damien Martyn opened the innings with Adam Gilchrist and they added 46 runs. Martyn (19) was shaping good, but was caught behind off Srinath.