BRISBANE, Jan 18: Australia failed in their bid for a second record-breaking innings in as many days, suffering their first defeat of the tri-nation one-day cricket series against India at the Gabba Ground here on Sunday.

A valiant effort by opening batsman Matthew Hayden who walloped 109 from 107 balls to try and lift his side past India's impressive tally of 303 for four failed to get the support it needed from Australia's early order.

It was Hayden's third one-day century and his first in Australia. In the end, the home side was dismissed for 284 - 20 runs short of victory with two balls remaining in their quest to pull off what would have been a record-breaking win.

On Friday, Australia had clocked up the biggest one-day score by any team on their soil when they reached 344 for seven against Zimbabwe. And India's tally, which included a first-ever one-day century on foreign soil by Man-of-the-Match Vangipurappu Laxman was a record one-day total at Brisbane.

Australia had seemed well placed at 204 for four, needing 100 from as many balls, but their hopes faded with the loss of Hayden and Michael Clarke who had made 42 from 45 deliveries.

Lakshmipathy Balaji with 4-48 took bowling honours for India while left-arm quick Irfan Pathan, who finished with 3-64 captured the key wickets of openers Adam Gilchrist for 21, Hayden and Clarke.

Despite a steady hand from Michael Bevan, who remained not out on 41, Australia never seemed likely to reach its target. India then worked their way through the Australian tail to register only a second win in their last 10 matches against the world champions.

The match also marked the international debut of Indian batsman Rohan Gavaskar, son of the legendary Sunil Gavaskar. Although he faced just three deliveries to remain two not-out, Gavaskar bowled tidily enough and picked up the important wicket of Andrew Symonds for 20 - diving to his right to take a difficult caught and bowled chance.

The victory avenged India's 18-run defeat by Australia in Melbourne last weekend and put them one win away from Australia at the top of the Tri-Series table. India will now play the winless Zimbabwe here on Tuesday.

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