Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Australia take unbeatable series lead after beating Pakistan in third ODI Australia take unbeatable series lead after beating Pakistan in third ODI Do

Australia take unbeatable series lead after beating Pakistan in  third ODI
Dominance: Australia's one-day team proves too strong for Pakistan Photo: GETTY IMAGES

Australia demonstrated their bowling depth and took an unassailable 3-0 series lead after beating Pakistan by 40 runs in the one-day international at Adelaide Oval.

The Aussies scored 286 before dismissing the tourists for 246 in the 48th over. Man of the match Ryan Harris, who was brought into the side to replace Peter Siddle, took five for 43 while Clint McKay continued his impressive run in the national side with three for 48.

Pakistan were again outclassed in all departments but they could at least point to a small improvement after losing game two by 140 runs.

Umar Akmal (59 off 76 balls) and Fawad Alam (33 off 52), who came together when the score was on 60 for four, kept their side in the contest while a blazing 58-run stand between Shahid Afridi (40 off 29 balls) and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan (33 off 28) provided Ricky Ponting's men with some anxious moments in the final 10 overs.

Pakistan were positive early on with Salman Butt scoring two boundaries in the opening over of the innings. But Harris got an early breakthrough, - dismissing Kamran Akmal lbw for just one.

The situation got even worse when an unlucky Butt, who scored five boundaries in his bright 34, was also given out lbw. Television replays suggested the McKay delivery was pitched outside leg stump and was too high.

There was no doubt about Mohammad Yousuf's dismissal two overs later however - the under-siege captain began his knock like a man on a mission but chopped on a Shane Watson delivery for just 11.

With Yousuf gone, Pakistan were relying heavily on Younis Khan to steady the ship. But the right-hander edged a McKay ball through to Brad Haddin who took a sharp, one-handed catch above his head and the score was 60 for four.

Akmal and Alam joined forces in the 14th over and went about reviving the tourists' hopes of victory.

They ran well between the wickets, milking the singles and twos found in all parts of the ground, and transferred some of the pressure onto the Australians.

But their dangerous partnership came to an end when Akmal was caught behind after trying to guide a Harris delivery down to third man.

Afridi and Rana started swinging as soon as they arrived at the crease and for a while their cavalier attitude paid off. They savaged 36 runs off overs 41-43 but could not go on with it.

Earlier, a steady 83 off 113 from opener Shaun Marsh, with support from Watson (33 off 37), provided Australia with a launchpad before Michael Clarke and Mike Hussey blazed away in the final 10 overs.

Clarke, who reached 56 without scoring a boundary, went on to make 80 off 90 deliveries while Hussey's 49 came off just 28 deliveries - the duo combining for an 80-run partnership off just 33 balls.

Umar Gul and Mohammad Asif took two wickets each but it was another disappointing day in the field for the tourists.

Australia's innings was conservative for 40 overs before Cameron White (28 off 31 balls) and then Hussey's crisp stroke-making, along with Clarke's workmanlike contribution, had the visitors on the back foot.

In the 50th over Hussey was caught by Younis in the outfield and the next ball Clarke was bowled by Gul.

Share This
Subscribe Here

0 comments:

Post a Comment

 

Followers

Cricket is Life Copyright © 2009