Australians smash their way to 348-8 in ODI against India

Australian openers Aaron Finch and David Warner led an all-out assault as they blasted their way to 348 for eight in the fourth one-day international against India in Canberra on Wednesday.

Finch made 107 and Warner 93 in a huge opening stand of 187 before captain Steve Smith smashed 51 off only 29 balls and Glenn Maxwell 41 from 20 on a docile Manuka Oval wicket.

Australia won the first three ODIs in the five-match series batting second, chasing down totals of 309, 308 and 295 with ease.

Batting first on Wednesday, the Australians flew past 300 in the 46th over to set India a daunting run chase.

The huge total was set up by the opening stand from Finch and Warner.

Warner, who was playing his first match after taking two games off for paternity leave, batted out a maiden over to start the innings but soon began to find the middle of the bat.

He was particularly harsh on recalled paceman Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who went for 0-69 from eight overs, and spinner Gurkeerat Singh (0-24 from three).

He brought up his 50 from 46 balls with eight boundaries and a six as the Australians took complete control.

Finch was more sedate than his partner, taking 61 balls for his half century, but he began to pick up the pace soon after, his innings especially damaging to umpire Richard Kettleborough, who was hit on the shin by a powerful on-drive and had to be replaced in the middle by Paul Wilson.

Warner eventually fell for 93 when he tried to smash a good length ball from Ishant Sharma and was bowled off an inside edge.

Finch fell when he skied a pull shot and was caught by Ishant Sharma.

India took regular wickets to slow the scoring down until Maxwell teed off in the last two overs

Source: AFP