Australia defended its 213 grimly to salvage a place in the Malaysian tri-series final against the West Indies tomorrow, but captain Ricky Ponting was placed under scrutiny again for speaking too forcefully to umpires in an 18-run victory over India at Kinrara Oval here last night.
Brett Lee bowled with hostility and direction for 5-38, while Brad Hogg (2-48) also starred with the ball to thwart a sturdy 63 by Dinesh Mongia.
Ponting, meanwhile, will await the match officials' meeting after sparring verbally with umpire Mark Benson over his reversal of a decision to give out Sachin Tendulkar in the second over of India's pursuit.
Australia sank from 2-87 to 6-117 before Brad Haddin (46, four sixes) and Hogg (38) shared a 77-run stand.
Indian tweaker Harbhajan Singh bowled tightly to take 1-24 in 10 suffocating overs.
When India chased, Glenn McGrath's first ball to Tendulkar brought a minor sensation when English umpire Benson gave him out caught behind for a clear deflection from the shoulder. The combination of Tendulkar's stunned response and howls of derision in the crowd swayed Benson into reversing his decision before the batsman had reached the boundary, a call that incensed Ponting.
But arguments about the reversal were made moot next over, Lee having Tendulkar caught at point. He then bowled Virender Sehwag.
Clark (2-36) took a one-handed caught-and-bowled to get rid of Mohammad Kaif, then had Rahul Dravid leg before wicket, and Hogg's deception of Suresh Raina and Ajit Agarkar allowed Lee the chance to wrap up the innings for 195.