Warner’s century ensures Australian victory

 

ICC World Cup Cricket County Ground, Taunton

Australia Vs Pakistan

Australia   307 ao (49 ov) Warner 107 off 111, 11 fours, 1 six; Aaron Finch 82 off 84, 6 four, 4 sixes, S Marsh 23 off 126, 2 fours, Amir 5-30, Shaheen 2-70, Hassan 1-67, Wahab 1-44, Hafeez 1-60. 

Pakistan 266 ao (45.4 ov) Imam 543 off 75, 7 fours, Hafeez 46 off 49, 3fours, 1 six, Sarfaraz 40 off 48, 1 four, Wahab 45 off 39, 2 fours, 3 sixes, /cumin 3-33, Starc 2-43, K Richardson 2-62, Coulter-Nile 1-53, Finch 1-13.

Pakistan won the toss and decided to field.

Australia win by 41 runs.

David Warner scored 107, having dropped on 104, his first ODI century since serving a year-long ban for his part in the ball-tampering scandal in Australia’s tense 41-run World Cup victory. Captain Aaron Finch also scored 82, after being dropped twice hit four leg-side sixes and Australia should have posted more than their 307 all out, only to lose their last six wickets for 30 runs thanks mainly to Mohammad Amir’s 5-30, move to 1-0 wickets in the tournament, more than any other bowler.

Pakistan chasing a more reachable target of 308 run was well placed at 136-2 when their collapse of 4-24 turned the game in Australia’s favour.

Hasan Ali’s 32 from 15 balls and Wahab Riaz’s 45 from 39 balls were all in vain after Wahab was given out caught behind on review off Mitchell Starc, as Pakistan was bowled out for 266.

Australia’s early charge was aided by poor bowling and fielding by Pakistan, but their resurgence first led by Amir’s 5-30 followed by a third wicket stand of 80 between Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Hafeez and later through the hitting of Hassan and Wahab, when starc got review in his favour against a hoppijg Wahab. Eight balls later, the game was over.

Pakistan play India at Old Trafford on Sunday and Australia join New Zealand at the top on six points having played a game more than the Kiwis.