Cricket
White steers Australia home
2010-01-22 15:35
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Brisbane - A superb century by Cameron White steered Australia to a five-wicket victory over Pakistan in the first of five one-day internationals at the 'Gabba, Brisbane, on Friday.
Australia lost their openers quite quickly in the chase, and when skipper Ricky Ponting departed with the score on 84, the hosts needed someone to stand up to the challenge as they chased Pakistan's total of 274 all out.
That man turned out to be White, and together with Michael Clarke (58) the pair added 102 runs for the fourth wicket before the latter managed to run himself out - calling for a single that was not on.
Man of the match White stayed cool and collected, and paired up with Michael Hussey for another half-century partnership, before bringing up only his second ODI ton off 85 deliveries.
White went soon after for 105, but the target was then well within Australia's reach, and Hussey and Brad Haddin saw the hosts safely home with nine balls to spare.
Earlier, Shahid Afridi hit a sparkling 48 to lift Pakistan to 274 all out.
Shane Watson was the pick of the home attack with 4/36.
Pakistan started off well after opting to bat, and the first two wickets saw 117 runs on the board at five runs to the over - Salman Butt was especially severe on the home bowlers, compiling an 81-ball 72 which included 12 boundaries.
Australia, though, kept pegging away at the wickets, removing captain Mohammad Yousuf for two after getting rid of the two openers.
Umar Akmal followed soon after, but Shoaib Malik and Younis Khan stabilised the ship for a while, before departing within three overs of each other.
It was left up to the power of Shahid Afridi to set a decent total, and he did not disappoint as he smashed five fours and three sixes in his 26-ball innings.
Clint McKay - even though he travelled a bit - collected three for 61 off his nine overs.
Teams: Australia: SR Watson, SE Marsh, RT Ponting (capt), MEK Hussey, MJ Clarke, CL White, BJ Haddin (wk), NM Hauritz, CJ McKay, PM Siddle, DE Bollinger
Pakistan: Salman Butt, Kamran Akmal (wk), Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf (capt), Umar Akmal, Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi, Naved-ul-Hasan, Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Aamer, Saeed Ajmal