SYDNEY: A David Warner century helped Australia post an imposing 353 for six in the fourth one-day international against Pakistan at the SCG on Sunday.
After Australian captain Steve Smith won the toss, the home side took advantage of a placid wicket as they sought to wrap up the five-match series.
Warner led the way with his third century in his last six one-day internationals, but Pakistan, trailing 2-1 in the series, did not help themselves with another atrocious performance in the field.
They misfielded repeatedly, conceded a number of overthrows and dropped catches at crucial times.
Warner made 130 and reached his 12th one-day century in 98 balls, finishing with 11 fours and two sixes.
The left-hander was dropped on 113 when Hasan Ali grassed a simple chance at mid-off from the bowling of spinner Imad Wasim.
Smith scored 49 off 48 balls but was let off when he had made just 10 when Sharjeel Khan made a lazy one-handed attempt at gully from the bowling of Junaid Khan.
Sharjeel also dropped Travis Head when he was on 28, again to the chagrin of the luckless Junaid. Head went on to make 58 off 36 balls.
And Hasan put down a difficult chance off Glenn Maxwell when he was on eight and the Australian went on to score 78.
Despite the two dropped catches Hasan took five for 52, easily the best of the Pakistan bowlers.
Warner and Smith put on 120 for the second wicket to have Australia in a commanding position before Hasan removed both in the space of three balls to give the tourists some renewed hope.
However, Head and Maxwell then cut loose to add exactly 100 for the fourth wicket in just 64 balls.
Maxwell faced just 44 balls, hitting 10 fours and a six.
Pakistan recalled captain Azhar Ali after a hamstring injury at the expense of Asad Shafiq, while Australia recalled Mitchell Starc and spinner Adam Zampa for James Faulkner and Billy Stanlake.
Comments
Comments are closed.