Best bets & player specials for India vs. Australia 5th ODI

IT has taken four games, but Australia are on the board at last in their five-match ODI series against India.

A monster opening stand between David Warner (124) and Aaron Finch (94) put the visitors in a commanding position, although the alarm bells began to ring when those two and Steve Smith fell in quick succession.

But Travis Head dug in to steady the ship with an uncharacteristically stodgy 29 alongside Peter Handscomb, who hit 43 in a long-overdue contribution in the 50-over format.

Some handy late hitting from Marcus Stoinis pushed Australia to 5/334, but that total looked fragile as Rohit Sharma (65) and Ajinkya Rahane (53) got the hosts off to a flyer.

The Indian bats failed to take advantage of strong starts, however, and even MS Dhoni couldn’t see them home as Australia claimed a 21-run victory.

That much-improved performance from the tourists has seen the odds tighten slightly for Sunday’s series-closer in Nagpur.

India were paying as short as $1.51 to win the fourth ODI, but their price has drifted out to $1.67 at William Hill.

That same bookmaker has brought the Aussies in to $2.20 from as far out as $2.50.

David Warner bet specials

• Top Australia batsman – $3.75 at CrownBet
• To score 100 – $6.50 at Bet365
• Man of the match – $9 at Bet365

Nobody could ever accuse Australia’s vice-captain of being a perfect man, but he sure knows how to celebrate a milestone.

In his 100th ODI appearance, Warner flayed the Indian attack to all corners en route to a match-defining 124.

This is a man who was visibly frustrated earlier in the series, watching from the other end as Hilton Cartwright plodded and scratched and flailed like a clueless child.

The resumption of the Finch-Warner partnership has had a marked impact on Australia’s output at the top of the order.

That pairing has now contributed some 301 runs in two games, and it would be no surprise if one – or both – went to make another big score on Sunday.

India vs. Australia match prediction

Thursday’s game in Bengaluru has left us with a hint of something to look forward to this weekend.

For despite flirting with yet another middle-innings collapse, the Aussies were better in every department.

The top order fired, Handscomb and Stoinis showed their worth, and the bowlers recovered from a loose start with some patient, disciplined execution.

The leg-spin of Adam Zampa was especially impressive against the hard-hitting Hardik Pandya, who has tormented the visitors all series.

Can Smith and his charges do it again in Nagpur?

Both sides have more to give, perhaps most notably from their captains.

One could make a strong case for either camp, but we are plumping for Australia at value odds.

Australia to win – $2.30 at Bet365.com.au