Debutant Peter Handscomb was gifted two lucky breaks and Steve Smith cracked a fighting century to help power Australia to a seven-wicket victory over Pakistan in Thursday’s one-day clash at the WACA Ground.
Chasing 264 for victory, Australia reached 3-265 with five overs to spare, with Smith (108no off 104 balls) and Handscomb (82 off 84) combining for a match-winning 183-run partnership.
The triumph gave Australia a 2-1 lead in the five-match series ahead of Sunday’s clash at the SCG.
But Thursday’s result could have been vastly different if it wasn’t for an untimely Junaid Khan no-ball in the 11th over.
Handscomb thought he was out for a duck when he was caught at slip with Australia struggling at 2-46.
As Handscomb trudged off the field, replays showed Junaid’s delivery was a front-foot no-ball.
Handscomb was unaware of the no-ball until reserve umpire Paul Wilson charged down the tunnel to tell the batsmen to turn back.
If Handscomb had gone another 10m to walk off the field, he wouldn’t have been able to return.
Handscomb’s luck didn’t stop there.
He was given another life on 10 when he was dropped at point.
Handscomb made the most of the double reprieve to guide Australia out of their early trouble.
Smith led the way with his eighth ODI century, while Handscomb proved to be a handy ally in front of 15,383 fans.
Earlier, Australian wicketkeeper Matthew Wade missed the easiest of stumpings as Pakistan posted 7-263 after losing the toss.
Babar Azam scored 84 off 100 balls to equal the record as the fastest batsman to reach 1000 ODI runs, achieving the feat in just 21 innings.
Sharjeel Khan (50 off 47), Umar Akmal (39) and Shoaib Malik (39) chipped in with handy scores to lift Pakistan to a competitive total.
Paceman Josh Hazlewood led the bowling superbly in the absence of rested star Mitchell Starc, returning 3-32 from 10 overs.
Part-time spinner Travis Head collected 2-65 in a mixed outing, while paceman Billy Stanlake (1-55 off 10 overs) overcame some early nerves to put in a solid display.
Stanlake conceded 20 runs off his second over after Sharjeel cracked him for four consecutive boundaries.
The 22-year-old speedster had figures of 0-27 by that stage.
But he conceded just 28 runs from his next eight overs, snaring the wicket of Shoaib in the process.
Wade was left red faced when he missed the chance to stump Umar on one.
Umar was caught in no-man’s land after charging several paces down the pitch and missing an attempted slog of spinner Head.
But Wade failed to glove the ball, allowing Umar to scamper back into his crease.
He added another 38 runs before falling to Hazlewood.
Wade’s superior batting has allowed him to overtake fellow wicketkeeper Peter Nevill in the Test pecking order.
But Wade’s latest mistake with the gloves could send some concerns into the Australian camp ahead of the four-Test tour of India, where the dustbowl pitches will prove to be an even bigger challenge for wicketkeeping.
“I think I’m going to buy a lottery ticket tonight,” Handscomb said of the no-ball incident.
“As I was walking off, I started to hear the crowd going nuts, and couldn’t quite work out what was going on.
“So I looked up on the big screen and saw the no-ball. Lucky I did, because it was about three more steps before I was off the field.
“So I managed to turn around just in time.”
Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur said the two missed chances to get Handscomb out cheaply cost his team dearly.
“Our only chance of really exerting pressure was to take early wickets, and we nearly had that right,” Arthur said.
“They would have been three down for 40-odd.
“And where we’re at as a team, we just can’t afford those little lapses, so very disappointing.”
JGK
Roar Guru
As much as I loved S Waugh, he also played favourites and as it turned out, it was usually the right way to go because the guys he wanted in the team wanted to play for Waugh. Ironically, Chapelli (who despises Waugh) was quite similar.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
jameswm - the point is that if the catch had been taken they'd have reviewed the front foot and found it was a no ball, so he still wouldn't be out, but Australia would have got the run for the no ball and another free hit next ball. Considering the 4-all-run from the previous free hit was Handscomb's only score more than a single in his first 35-odd balls, having another free hit would probably have been a big deal. How many more free hit's did Australia miss out on because the umpires weren't calling no-balls, just checking if a wicket fell?
Basil
Guest
Looking forward with interest.
Mike Dugg
Guest
Closer to Stuart Clark in my opinion. He's got a long long way to go be like Pidge
Ashan D
Roar Pro
Yes this will be one of the all time Sports tragedies in Australia. Maxi is a once in a generation player and egos of some wannabe players and the boysclub of Aus hierarchy has almost destroyed it. STILL THERE IS HOPE and I hope for the best.
Ashan D
Roar Pro
Watch his behavior in the field mate. The petulant child can be seen all over. I miss the days of SR Waugh at the helm. But I sincerely hope Smith can grow into someone who can bring the best out of his players on the field. So far, he is not oozing inspiration.
Ashan D
Roar Pro
Yes Smith is under Lehmann's foot. Lehmann publicly degraded Maxi and it's his influence which is wrecking havoc here. I'm pretty sure Lehmann is trying to take revenge since he was the only one to vote against Maxi for India but now has no choice. So he's trying to make Maxi look like a batsman only and trying to put Mitch Marsh in at 6. Anyone can argue all they want, but this is the truth.
JoM
Guest
I don't know that you can put it all down to Smith. Lehmann appears to have a major say in what goes on out there on the field and the bowling is something that would be talked about before they even go out there. There is obviously more going on though.
jameswm
Roar Guru
He has? Care to elaborate?
BurgyGreen
Guest
And people wonder why Maxi gets vents to the press. Must be frustrating to have no-one in your team who backs you.
Ashan D
Roar Pro
Exactly. Smith is trying to pigeonhole Maxi as a batsman only now. So there is less of a reason to pick him at 6. Smith is destroying our chance of winning and of late he has also shown some 'Me Me' attitude also.
Ashan D
Roar Pro
There is internal politics behind Maxi not bowling. May be they really are afraid that if Maxi does well they all would look second rate to him. Smith DOES NOT LIKE MAXWELL. That's it.
Rob
Guest
it's increasingly obvious Smith has favourites and will go to them time and again. I can understand captains having faith in your stars but it also shows a lack of cricket knowledge when he goes to the same players in unsuitable conditions and game situations. e.g. Bowling Starc to long, Lyon from the wrong end or to the wrong batsmen at the wrong times, not bowling himself to tail enders or before and after breaks in play when there is a little turn on offer. His body language and ability to get everyone playing their best needs improvement.
JGK
Roar Guru
Actually I'm talking rubbish. After 26 Tests McGrath has 110 wickets at 24.91 v Hazlewood 109 wickets at 24.79!
JGK
Roar Guru
Wrong spot
JGK
Roar Guru
After 26 matches, McGrath was averaging 31! (Although that was at the end of his breakout 1995 Windies tour before which his average was 38).
JGK
Roar Guru
Maybe it's Smith's way of ensuring he doesn't play in Tests in India.
JGK
Roar Guru
No, the extra run and ball upon review. I gather that a no ball is not a reviewable decision, regardless of what happens on the play.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
"Anyone know why Maxi isn’t getting a bowl?" I have a whole piece addressing this issue tomorrow on The Roar.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
In 31 ODIs, Hazlewood has only twice conceded 60 runs or more. In an era where 300+ scores are run-of-the-mill, that is incredible.