Despite their best efforts to throw the game away, Australia have come away with their third win in four starts at the Cricket World Cup, hanging on by 41 runs against a dangerous Pakistan at the Taunton County Ground.
After two days of repeated rainfall, the pitch was finally unveiled from the covers with plenty of grass on it, and there was no question about Sarfaraz Ahmed’s decision as Australia lost yet another toss.
Pakistan were their own worst enemies once they got out into the field though, bowling on poor lengths and putting on an incredibly sloppy fielding display to make things easy for the Australians.
Only Mohammad Amir’s work with the ball would keep Pakistan in the game as he finished with five wickets.
After a mountain of criticism on David Warner for his slow work during the Indian game on Sunday, there would be no such go-slow approach this time as he went on the attack, showing positive intent with his innings from ball one.
Warner finished on 107 from 111, setting up the Australian platform in an emphatic return to his best, building his innings well and playing Amir strongly.
Alongside skipper Finch, the opening partnership for Australia was 146 from 22 overs. Finch departed for 82 from 84, but things went pear-shaped for Australia after that, despite Warner holding things together.
Steve Smith came and went quickly with a silly shot, while Glenn Maxwell was promoted to number four, but only lasted for 20 runs.
Once he and Warner got out, it left Usman Khawaja and Shaun Marsh – two platform-building batsmen – to try and capitalise on Warner’s efforts, and it predictably flopped as the pair both finished at around a strike rate of around 100.
Alex Carey would bolster the tail with 20 off 21, but for a side who were looking at a score north of 350, 307 felt well short.
Despite that, there was enough in the pitch and it was going to be defendable if Australia bowled well. They made the perfect start as Pat Cummins got rid of Fakhar Zaman in the third over, but Imam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam then saw off the new ball and began to cash in.
Babar (30 off 28) was then replaced by Mohammad Hafeez (46 off 49) who joined Imam (53 off 75) in a partnership of 80 in just over 15 overs, with Pakistan looking good at that point.
However, they lost 4 for 24 as Hafeez, Imam and then Shoaib Malik and Asif Ali all departed in quick succession, with Australia’s bowlers finally getting something to go their way.
They looked lost in planning though. Only Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins are to be feared at this World Cup, with the rest of the attack clearly being seen as second rate by most teams, which was evidenced in the figures of Kane Richardson (2 for 62 off 8.4) and Glenn Maxwell (0/58 off 7).
At 7 for 200, needing 108 off 16.1 overs and with Wahab Riaz joining captain Sarfaraz at the crease, it looked like a lost cause for Pakistan, however, the duo set about making things very nervy for Australia.
While Safaraz would play the anchor role and eventually be the last man out, Riaz teed off and got the run rate back under control, before he eventually departed for 45 off 39.
They put on 64 in just 11 overs, but the return of Starc to the attack proved to be too much, and the end came very quickly after that.
Australia now move on to play Sri Lanka in their fifth clash, while Pakistan get set for their duel with India on Sunday.
Match summary
Australia: 10/307 (49) (David Warner 107, Aaron Finch 82, Mohammad Amir 5/30) defeat Pakistan: 10/266 (45.4) (Mohammad Hafeez 46, Wahab Riaz 45, Sarfaraz Ahmed 40, Pat Cummins 3/33) by 41 runs.
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Insult_2_Injury
Roar Rookie
With ya there. Sometimes you have to win ugly. In a tournament an ugly win is a win towards the end result. Criticising Smith is ridiculous; his body language when he got out shows he believed he played the right shot for the ball and it got stuck in the wicket. Maxwell is another story. The wickets have been absolute roads and even when there was a little character in it like this one, the batsman centric game STILL produced a target of 300+. As a tournament fixture, which has many neutral spectators at the game, there were 550+ runs, excellent bowling from Amir and Cummins, a ton from Warner and many points in the game where the result could go either way. The Pakistani's know they wasted the ball early, but fought back. They know they batted badly with the knowledge of the wicket from bowling on it. The Aussies know it was a wicket where you're never really in and picked the wrong ball in Smith, Khawaja and Marsh's case, but still passed 300. Ugly win for Aussies, frustrating loss for Pakistanis. Five more games 'til finals.
Diamond Jackie
Roar Rookie
Thoughtful analysis. Vs the Windies it was the steep bounce; vs India they won a critical toss; vs Pakistan we batted on a green top. We probably are a good player or two short but we have also got back Warner/Smith. We are finding a way to win, which is what good sides do. I think the commentary is a bit harsh.
TheCunningLinguistic
Roar Rookie
I agree. I know Warner is a cracking opener, but I'd prefer him coming in at 5, with Maxwell at 6 and Carey at 7. I think we can target more competitive scores with those guys at the tail end, particularly if you throw Mitch Marsh into the mix as well. I'd be comfortable with this team: Finch Khawaja Smith S. Marsh Warner Maxwell M. Marsh Carey Cummins Starc Lyon/Zampa I know that's a 'batting-heavy' line-up, but you could always pull out a middle-order accumulator to get an extra bowler in, depending on conditions.
matth
Roar Guru
It’s a lottery in the sense of the toss, the pitch, the weather, someone having a blinder , etc
dungerBob
Roar Rookie
Oh, I think I get the point alright. I just don't think it's attainable. People want perfection but I've set my sights a bit lower than that. I completely understand that mistakes were made and there were a few dumb plays but I prefer to focus on the fact they've won 9 of their last 10 matches and even 6 months ago that was a pipe dream. I'm happy with their progress and don't won't to be too critical. Not missing the point, just a different way of looking at it.
Lawrence
Roar Rookie
I agree, don't think Davey takes much notice of the fun police.
ForwardsWinMatches
Guest
Sorry, I think this misses the point. As you say, the pitch seemed to get tougher. All the more reason for a bloke like Smith to knuckle down and work the ball for singles instead of the outrageous shot he attempted. Then there was Maxwell - he lasted 10 deliveries (less than 2 overs) when the team needed someone to hang around with 20+ overs left. I can’t see any plausible explanation for the shot selection. It doesn’t bode well for future matches against more composed opponents.
Rob
Guest
If Pakistan had tighter and caught the chances Finch and Warner offered up earlier they wouldn't have put up 147. Warner was dead batting slot balls that Hayden, Langer, Gillcrist or Waugh would have punched down the ground or deposited into the grandstand. Maxwell was unfortunately overly aggressive to a very good delivery. At 2/230 Maxwell was obviously given a licence just like Smith, Marsh and Khawaja. It's easy in hindsight to say they threw away a good start but that some time happens. What annoys me is the lack of controlled hitting it's more like agricultural slogging.
sheek
Roar Guru
John Allan, If you're responding to me, do your own research for being so narky. If you're responding to spruce moose, then as you were.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Quote Blight in this instance.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
"To hell and back". Remind me of the circumstances again.
dungerBob
Roar Rookie
Good on ya mate. I'm with you on this. The media seem hell bent on adding, dare I say it, insult to injury !! .. That was not an easy pitch to negotiate in my book. Our lads didn't play the perfect game, far from it, but neither did the opposition. A lot of people are saying it wouldn't have been good enough if we were playing one of the more fancied teams but how do they know that for a fact? Pure guess work imo. The important thing is we won the game and are still well and truly in the hunt for a semi final spot. It was an ugly win but a win nevertheless. I'm happy with that for the moment.
Asthon
Roar Rookie
Imagine if we had a player that did this: Top runs scorer in international ODI cricket in 2019 as a top order player. Helps reverse our dismal losing streak in 2018 when he is finally picked in the squad. Man of the series in first ever ODI series win in India. Outscores Kohli in 5 match series by over 150 runs. Instrumental in overseas series win agains Pakistan. Two centuries and 4 scores >80 in this year. Averages close to 60 this year. All as a opener/top order batsman. And then, the world cup comes along and the wise coach/selectors decides to play them at no 4 or 6 to keep the right/left combination alive. If this were to happen, it would appear that this player is getting shafted to say the least.
Peter Warrington
Guest
Finch, Warner, Khawaja, Smith, Maxwell, Carey and now SMarsh are all seeing it well 320 should be the minimum. they are getting around that level as the default, and will push 360 one day in this tourny
Peter Warrington
Guest
how can you practise them and not practise them at the same time? and they didn't go after every ball. but each played a big shot despite being around 100 SR except for Maxwell who was 20 off 8 before the bloody drinks break (and notwithstanding Warner getting bogged down and hogging the strike for a bit). doesn't it seem odd that noted non-tonkers Smith, Khawaja and Marsh all played shots that Maxwell would be pilloried for? despite wickets falling? despite none of them being bogged down? do you think that is just a random event, or Maxwell infecting people, or something else? why "especially Maxwell". he wasn't the guy chasing or shanking his head sideways. he got a zippy 141 straight ball. it looked like his sprigs stuck in the deck. or he went back when he should have gone forward, struggling to pick the length of the 6 foot 5 lefty that's the other thing people aren't really factoring in. this is not some series against the same 5-6 bowlers. the batsmen will need to factor in 9 attacks and potentially 50 bowlers against them, and just when they get a read on them, they rest for 3 days and change venue and opposition. in some ways, it is amazing we are doing so well?
Brian
Guest
I agree beating Pakistan and West Indies means they are almost through since Saffers are struggling. However the semis are hardly a lottery. For Australia to win 2 matches against a combinations of India, England and New Zealand looks extremely unlikely
sheek
Roar Guru
SM - you know this first-hand??? I'm impressed by your prescience.
Paul
Roar Guru
hi Spruce, it's funny how some guys can be terrific batsmen and very sound tactical on-field captains, but give them a microphone and they just say what ever. IMO, Ponting, Atherton, Hussein, have all transitioned into very capable commentators, but Clarke just doesn't have it. I don't know that he's a fool, just not very good at ordering his thoughts and communicating them. He and Slater should stick to BBL commentary and leave anything requiring more intellect to others to discuss.
Paul
Roar Guru
great last sentence Rowdy. Hope you don't have it under copyright!
Christo the Daddyo
Roar Rookie
Yep, there was some good bowling initially, but there were some shockers of shot selection too. Both openers were lucky to get into double figures I think. But yes, after that start the team should have ended up with another 20 or 30 runs at least. I presume the decision to keep dropping Khawaja down the order was for the purpose of keeping a left/right batting combination as long as possible?