Steve Orme
at ANZ Stadium
A hard-hitting half-century from Matthew Wade has helped Australia to a competitive 4-171 in the Twenty20 International at Sydney Olympic Park.
The rookie gloveman made the most of his selection at the top of the order, smashing a brilliant 72 off 43 deliveries after the hosts were sent in to bat by the tourists in overcast conditions.
Wade blasted five fours and three sixes before he was bowled by Suresh Raina (1-22) shortly after play resumed following a 20-minute rain delay in the 15th over.
David Hussey added a valuable 42 off 30, including three towering sixes, after opener David Warner earlier whipped the bumper crowd into a frenzy with a rapid 25 off 14 deliveries.
Warner produced a massive switch-hit six off Ravi Ashwin (0-34) in the third over and followed up with another huge six down the ground to get the hosts off to a flyer.
Travis Birt picked up where Warner left off, hammering Vinay Kumar (1-28) down the ground for six to bring up Australia's half-century.
Birt was very nearly run out for seven next over when he slipped attempting to get back into his ground, but MS Dhoni couldn't hit the stumps from close range.
He was given another life when Rahul Sharma (1-27) was unable to take a sharp return catch and was left with a bleeding finger on his bowling hand.
But the Tasmanian failed to cash in, hitting an Ashwin full toss straight to cover off the final ball of the 10th over to depart for 17.
Wade continued to throw the bat, bringing up his 50 - and Australia's hundred - with a six off Ravindra Jadeja (0-23) before rain stopped play.
Hussey kept the scoreboard humming with a six over cow corner at the resumption to move the hosts past 150 before he was bowled by Rahul Sharma late in the innings.
New skipper George Bailey (12 off 11) steered the hosts home to leave India a tough run chase.