Pakistan finally picked up a drought-breaking win over Australia in the second ODI and will be looking to carry that momentum into Perth. Join The Roar for live scores from 2:20pm (AEDT).
After 12 long years, Pakistan finally defeated Australia on their own turf, having failed to do so in any format since January 2005. The victory also ended a streak of five consecutive ODI wins for Australia – a streak spanning over three years.
Pakistan were long overdue to beat the men in canary yellow.
The insipid performance of the Test side and the equally disappointing effort put forward in the first ODI would have had cricket fans worrying of another one-sided series. But Pakistan’s triumph on Sunday has now given the five-match series life, squaring the ledger at 1-1.
The visitors found their winning formula in Melbourne, their strong bowling attack restricting Australia to a manageable target. While capable of flashes of brilliance, Pakistan’s batting unit will need to lean heavily on the bowlers for continued team success.
However, the WACA pitch should suit them in this regard.
As the Perth Scorchers have shown in the Big Bash, a strong bowling unit – in particular a skilled pace attack – can overcome the shortcomings of a shaky batting order.
Despite not being as quick and threatening as the fabled pitches from the 80s, the fast bowlers from both teams should be looking forward to playing in Perth.
In team news, the Australians have had an unfortunate spate of injuries. Chris Lynn and Mitchell Marsh will both miss the remainder of the series with Victorian duo Peter Handscomb and Marcus Stoinis being called into the squad as cover.
Handscomb’s stellar summer is set to continue with the Victorian poised to make his first appearance in limited overs cricket for Australia, replacing the aforementioned Marsh. In what could be a trial by fire the new Test sensation will be asked to anchor the innings batting at number four
Strike weapon Mitchell Starc will also miss the third ODI after being rested, as big Billy Stanlake steps back into the team. After only bowling three overs in his debut match, Stanlake will be hoping to emulate the form he showed with the Adelaide Strikers which led to his meteoric rise to the Australian team.
On the other hand, Pakistan are unlikely to tinker with their winning side from Melbourne, meaning fiery paceman Wahab Riaz will probably miss his second game in a row.
Prediction
The Pakistan bowling unit seems well suited to the WACA and has the potenial to trouble Australia for a second successive game. However, look for the diminutive David Warner and the lanky Billy Stanlake to play key roles with bat and ball respectively as Australia regain control of the series.
Dylan Matthews
Roar Guru
Definately
Alex
Guest
you can't demand respect, you command respect.
Ashan D
Roar Pro
Yes mate. Sometimes I wonder if Smith made all that public because he wanted the respect of players. If that is the case, he surely needs to take some lessons with AB or Tugga. One has to demand respect, not seek for it.
Maggie
Guest
I assume you aren't watching the men playing tennis in the Australian Open then.
Maggie
Guest
You might want to check your statement re Steve Waugh with Shane Warne!
Craig
Guest
It makes you wonder if Smith has respect of his peers for his leadership (you cant doubt his batting abiity). Really, we haven't had a skipper since S Waugh that the whole team respected.
Ozibatla
Guest
Ashan raises a valid point. Maxwell is certainly on the stink in Smiths eyes. Steve Smith is a good cricketer but hes an ordinary peoples person. His treatment of Maxwell is pathetic. It reeks of a disgruntled principal making an example of a repeated naughty student. They are grown men who should be able to deal with disagreements in an adult manner. Maxwells put his foot in it no doubt, but do we all just become yes men?
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
That's all from me tonight folks, hope you've enjoyed the coverage!
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Australia have regained the series lead after an emphatic seven wicket win at the WACA. Set up by some brilliant death bowling from Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins, Australia restricted Pakistan to just 50 runs in the last 10 overs holding Pakistan to a below par score. Wickets continually fell at inopportune times for the visitors with no established batsman apart from Babar going on to score big runs. The trio of Sharjeel, Malik and Akmal all looked dangerous for Pakistan and threatened to catapult their side to a truly impressive score but reckless batting coupled with disciplined bowling from Australia ensured that the visitors never threatened 300. Amir and Junaid were impressive with the new ball reducing Australia to 45/2. It should’ve been 45/3 after Handscomb was caught knicking in the slips, however a replay showed that Junaid had overstepped by a long distance. From there Australia were never threatened as Smith and Handscomb made light work of the target. Although Handscomb failed to reach a debut century, Smith had no trouble reaching the 8th of his career giving Australia a seven wicket win and a 2-1 lead in the five match series.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Steve Smith is the man of the match for his unbeaten century.
Ashan D
Roar Pro
Bad time to experiment with a hectic tour coming ahead. We need Maxwell firing in India. He needs to find form now. Or does Smith really want him to find form ? Hmmmm
jamesb
Guest
Hazlewood. Without him, Pakistan would have got nearly 300.
jamesb
Guest
I think Phil Hughes is the only Australian batsman to score a hundred on his ODI debut. Handscomb nearly got there.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
That is a fair point. Only reason I can think of is that Smith knows what type of player and batsman Maxwell is whislt Head is still somewhat of an unknown commoditiy at the international level.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Who's the man of the match? Josh Hazlewood with his 3 wickets and terrific death bowling or the skipper with his unbeaten century?
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
FOUR Travis Head finishes the game with a solid front foot punch past mid on. Great chase from Australia who steadied after the loss two quick wickets. The skipper remains not out on 108. Australia win by seven wickets. Australia 265/3 after 45.0 chasing 264 Smith 108 Handscomb 23
Ashan D
Roar Pro
Again Head being favoured ahead of Maxwell. When the team needs 3 rpo, why not send him in to get some runs under his belt going ahead to India? Am i mislead or is it really Head going to India not Maxwell ? He's doing all the bowling and batting, and maxi is outlooked. It's not amusing anymore.
Ashan D
Roar Pro
And bashing another ? Maxwell is in the Aussie team also right ? Also, this was a state related issue. No need for Smith and co to take this to the national level. Should have let Victoria settle it. I got the feeling he pounced on an opportunity to bash Maxi.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Junaid will bowl the 45th over. It's also likely to be the last over of the match.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Nine from Hasan's last over who finishes his figures with 62/1. Only four runs left for the win. Australia 260/3 after 44.0 chasing 264 Smith 107 Handscomb 19