Ponting paves way for victory
Australia captain Ricky Ponting made a spectacular return to form with 124 to lead Australia to an 18-run victory over India in the Commonwealth Bank Series in Sydney.
The hosts gave India a daunting target of 318 to win, with Matthew Hayden (54) and Andrew Symonds (59) also smashing half-centuries.
Gautam Gambhir's 113 gave India hope and a spirited fightback from the lower order made for a tense finish but Brett Lee took five wickets for 58 to seal Australia's win.
Australia held off a spirited fightback from India, who posted the highest score by a team batting second in the CB Series so far.
Harbhajan Singh and Robin Uthappa led the comeback, with the latter smashing 51 off 43 balls, but their hopes of an unlikely win were obliterated by Lee whose scalps included the prize wicket of Sachin Tendulkar for two.
Gambhir had earlier hit 113 off 119 balls to rescue the tourists' following the losses of Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag, who was caught behind off Stuart Clark for 17.
India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni chipped in with 36 but edged a Lee delivery behind to Gilchrist, who then stumped Ghambir to slow India's momentum.
Irfan Pathan made a quickfire 22 off 21 balls before being dismissed by James Hopes as India sensed an upset but Lee was in no mood for a nailbiting finish.
