The Indian batsmen showed very poor temperament and ball selection in one of the most embarrassing batting displays in recent times. Their inexperience and inability were so evident that it came as no surprise when on a relatively good track the Australians hammered them into submission.

On the poor pitches in the first three matches, they had squared up rather well with the Australians, even managing to win one match. But in the last two matches when a better pitch was utilised, the strength of the superior team was very much in evidence.

In fact, but for a combative partnership of 58 for the ninth wicket between Devenedra Bundela (43) and Dodda Ganesh (28 n.o.), the Indianteam would have struggled to make 75.

Opting to bat first on a green top, the Indian batsmen stood exposed against the pace of the Australian bowlers. The side collapsed to 25 for five and later 52 for eight as poor stroke selection or ineptitude led to the downfall of the entire top order. The first seven batsmen contributed just 20 runs in this shameful show.

Bundela and Ganesh, far more judicious in their stroke-making and determined in their approach, ensured that the match did not finish before the lunch break.

The Australians, who rested the pacy Brett Lee and Adam Gilchrist (he had to rush home for personal reasons) were still too good in both bowling and fielding. Consequently, India `A' managed to make just 121.

The Indians began the defence of the poor total well when Ganesh cheaply dismissed both openers. Harbhajan Singh, who shared the new ball with Ganesh, accounted for the next two to have the Australians reeling at 24 for four. But a light shower that halted play for 24 minutes took thepressure off the batsmen.

Symonds came back on resumption and proceeded to show how effective he could be. He kept out the good deliveries and ruthlessly punished the bad ones to race to an unbeaten 62 and thereby bagged his third `Man of the Match' award in five matches.

The Aussies reached their reduced target (by the Parabola rather than Duckworth and Lewis Method) of 115 in 23.1 overs and for the loss of five wickets to record yet another comfortable win.

SCOREBOARD

INDIA A: SS Das c Martyn b Denton 4; JP Yadav c Creevey b Denton 6; S Sriram c Symonds b Hansen 1; VVS Laxman c Campbell b Hansen 0; V Shewag lbw Denton 0; M Kaif c Richards b Lee 5; VR Bhardwaj c Campbell b Creevey 4; D Bundela c Campbell b Lee 43; SS Dighe c Young b Creevey 2; D Ganesh (not out) 28; Harbhajan Singh c Campbell b Creeey 2. Extras (lb-1, W-24, nb-1): 26. Total (in 44.3 overs): 121

Fall of wickets: 1-9, 2-14, 3-24, 4-24, 5-26, 6-34, 7-42, 8-52, 9-111

Bowling: Denton 10-2-33-3, Hansen7-1-13-2, Creevey 8.3-3-13-3, S Lee 10-1-22-2, Young 4-0-22-0, Symonds 5-0-17-0.

AUSTRALIA A: CJ Richards c Dighe b Ganesh 0; MJ di Venuto c Dighe b Harbhajan Singh 6; RJ Campbell c Das b Ganesh 3; BN Creevey c Bhardwaj b Harbajan 11; BJ Hodge lbw Bhardwaj 15; A Symonds (not out) 62; DR Martyn (not out) 14. Extras (W-4): 4. Total (for 5 wkts, 23.1 overs): 115 (target reset to 115 in 44 overs)

Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-9, 3-9, 4-24, 5-81

Bowling: Ganesh 8.1-1-41-2, Harbhajan Singh 9-1-37-2, Sriram 2-0-13-0, Bhardwaj 4-1-24-1