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A 125-run partnership between James Taylor and Jos Buttler saw England register a hard-fought 3-wicket win over India in the sixth match of the Carlton Mid ODI Tri-Series at the WACA in Perth. England will play Australia in the final at the same venue on Sunday.
Early strikes from Stuart Binny and Mohit Sharma saw England reduced to 66 for 5, before Taylor and Buttler came together to forge a match-winning stand. Defending just 200, Mohit Sharma gave India the ideal start, removing the in-form Ian Bell in the fourth over. Moeen Ali laboured to a 34-ball 17, before his painful stay at the crease was ended by Axar Patel. Binny got rid of Joe Root, Eoin Morgan and Ravi Boapara in quick succession, leaving England with a mountain to climb.
That’s when Taylor and Buttler came together, weathering the early storm and then slowly putting the game out of India’s reach. Taylor top scored for England with a fluent 122-ball 84, winning the man of the match award in the process. Buttler was equally effective, scoring at a brisk pace and punishing anything loose on offer. They failed to take England home, but by the time they left, the game was well beyond India. Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes sustained a late Indian onslaught, leading England to victory.
Earlier, England won the toss and put India in. The world champions began well, with openers Ajinkya Rahane and Shikhar Dhawan stitching together an impressive 83-run stand. But soon after Dhawan’s dismissal -- who finally found some form with a gutsy 38 -- India slumped to 136-5. Binny (7) and Mahendra Singh Dhoni (17) failed to rescue India, with both making premature exits. Rahane was the only batsmen who shone, scoring a 101-ball 73.
For England, Steven Finn was the pick of the bowlers, ending with figures of 3 for 36. Ali, Broad and James Anderson picked up two wickets apiece. With this loss, India end their tour of Australia without a win. Australia comprehensively outplayed India in the Tests, winning the series 2-0. In the tri-series, India’s only points came from a washed out match against the hosts in Sydney this past Monday.
