Australia v India, 2011-12

Twenty20 internationals (2): Australia 1, India 1

After their commitment came into question during a 4-0 Test pummelling, this short series gave India the chance to let their hair down. ButTwenty20 internationals, often a lonely adjunct to an international tour, were now serious business in Australia. Nearly 60,000 flocked to the first match at Stadium Australia - built for the 2000 Olympics - beating the SCG's record for a single day's attendance at cricket in Sydney. James Sutherland, chief executive of Cricket Australia, floated the possibility of an extended Twenty20 series in future, touring the country. His optimism was fuelled by the success of the revamped KFC T20 Big Bash League, which had finished days earlier. Sutherland pledged that if the idea came to pass it would be one-day cricket, and not Tests, which would be scaled back.

Australia picked a squad almost unrecognisable from the Tests, with only DavidWarner and Shaun Marsh retained; Sutherland's stated intention for a completelyseparate Twenty20 side had moved a step closer. They were led by Tasmania'sGeorge Bailey, 29, who became the first man to captain Australia on debut since DaveGregory in the inaugural 1876-77 Test. Bailey shuffled his bowling resourcesintelligently in the first match. But his decision to move Matthew Wade down the order at Melbourne - after 72 as an opener at Sydney - was less successful, and India ended up sharing the series.

Match reports for

1st T20I: Australia v India at Sydney, Feb 1, 2012
Report | Scorecard

2nd T20I: Australia v India at Melbourne, Feb 3, 2012
Report | Scorecard