Winning start for Australia at Brisbane Cricket Ground

White guides Australia to five-wicket win over Pakistan

Last updated: September 16, 2018 | 00:05

3 MIN READ

Reuters

Dubai : Cameron White's century extended Pakistan's misery on Australian soil as the hosts cruised to a five-wicket win in the opening match of their one-day series at Brisbane Cricket Ground yesterday.

Chasing a victory target of 275, Australia ran into early trouble and lost top three batsmen for the score of 84 against a disciplined attack. White and Michael Clarke steadied the ship rocked by the Pakistan seam bowlers with a fourth-wicket partnership of 102.

The Victorian was finally out for 105, his second career century, included eight 4s and four sixes off 88 balls, when the hosts were a mere 15 runs off the target. White also added another 74 runs with Michael Hussey, who remained unbeaten on 35.

White was particularly severe on Naveed-ul-Hasan and spinners Shahid Afridi and Saeed Ajmal as all three went for over six runs an over.

Failure

Earlier, Pakistan, electing to bat first, failed to capitalise on the solid start provided by their openers Salman Butt and Kamran Akmal, who added 62 for the first wicket.

Butt continued the good work in the company of experienced Younus Khan, who returned to the squad after a break following his decision to relinquish the captaincy made a patient 46.

But tight bowling by Australian medium-pacers slowed things down considerably for the visitors.

All-rounder Shane Watson put the brakes on the proceedings with a miserly spell of 10 overs during which he claimed four for 36 after Doug Bollingers scalped the wickets of Butt (72) and an unlucky Mohammad Yousuf (2), who played onto his stumps.

Watson got considerable support from newcomer Clinton McKay, who was playing his third one-day international.

Crucial wickets

McKay, a bit on the expensive side, claimed the crucial wickets of Younis Khan, Umar Akmal and Mohammad Aamer to finish with figures of 3-61 in his nine-over spell.

Again limited-over specialist Afridi came to Pakistan's rescue with a hurricane knock of 48 off 26 balls which included five 4s and three sixes, Shoaib Malek (28) and Umar Akmal (23) ensured Pakistan reach a fighting total as they were all out with two balls to spare.

The second one-day international of the five-match series will take place tomorrow at Adelaide Oval.

Pakistan

S. Butt c Haddin b Bollinger 72

Kamran Akmal c Clarke b Watson 34

Younus Khan c Marsh b McKay 46

Mohammad Yousuf b Bollinger 2

Umar Akmal c Haddin b McKay 23

Shoaib Malek c Haddin b Watson 28

S.Afridi c Hussey b Watson 48

Mohammad Aamer c Haddin b McKay 0

Naveed-ul-Hasan not out 8

Saeed Ajmal c Clarke b Watson 2

Mohammad Asif run out 0

Extras (lb 4, w5, nb2) 11

Total (in 49.4 overs) 274

Fall of wickets: 1-62, 2-117, 3-123, 4-156, 5-205, 6-221, 7-227, 8-269, 9-274.

Bowling: Bollinger 9.4-0-37-2; Siddle 8-1-48-0; McKay 9-0-61-3; Watson 10-0-36-4; Hauritz 9-0-68-0; Clarke 2-0-8-0; Hussey 2-0-12-0.

Australia

S. Watson c Ajmal b Aamer 5

S. Marsh c Naved b Asif 15

R. Ponting c sub (Latif) b Afridi 27

M. Clarke run out 58

C. White b Naved-ul-Hasan 105

M. Hussey not out 35

B. Haddin not out 7

Extras (b 4, lb 10, w 9) 23

Total (for five in 48.3 overs) 275

Did not bat: Nathan Hauritz, Clinton McKay, Peter Siddle, Doug Bollinger

Fall of wickets: 1-16, 2-37, 3-84, 4-186, 5-260.

Bowling: Mohammad Asif 10-1-44-1; Mohammad Aamer 9-0-29-1; Naved-ul-Hasan 10-0-61-1; Shahid Afridi 10-0-66-1; Saeed Ajmal 9.3-0-61-0.