Travis Head has scored a sparkling century while spinner Adam Zampa caused havoc with the ball to lead an undermanned Australia to an 88-run ODI victory over Pakistan in Lahore.
Head, playing his first ODI since 2018, cracked 101 off 72 balls opening alongside Aaron Finch to lift Australia to 7-313 in Tuesday’s series-opener.
In reply, Pakistan were bowled out for 225 in 45.2 overs despite the best efforts of opener Imam Ul Haq (103 off 96 balls) and captain Babar Azam (57 off 72 balls).
Zampa finished with 4-38 from his 10 overs in a standout display as Australia took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Head also snared 2-35 off six overs in a surprise cameo with the ball, but it was with the bat that he inflicted most damage.
The 28-year-old was on just one when he was given out lbw in the second over.
Head immediately reviewed the decision, with replays showing Mohammad Wasim’s delivery had pitched outside leg stump.
The left-hander made the most of the reprieve, punishing anything wide to bring up his half-century off 32 balls.
By the time Head brought up his ton off 70 balls, he had cracked three sixes and 12 fours.
It was the fastest ODI century by an Australian against Pakistan.
Ben McDermott added 55 off 70 balls as Australia raced to 1-171 in the 25th over, but the run rate then slowed due to the regular fall of wickets.
Only some late lusty blows from Cameron Green (40no off 30 balls) ensured Australia picked up the pace again.
“I’m stoked for Travis. He’s been out of the team for a while, and to come back and get a 100 off 70 balls – it’s a match-winning knock,” Zampa told the host broadcaster after the match.
“The boys played really well. The opening batsmen set the tone early for us, it was a really competitive total.
“Our quick bowlers put some good pressure at the start and we got the results at the end.”
Pakistan made a solid start to their chase as they moved to 1-120 after 24 overs.
Babar became the second fastest player to reach 4000 ODI runs when he struck Mitchell Swepson for four early in his innings.
The star batsman took 82 innings to reach the mark, just one short of the record held by Hashim Amla.
But it was as good as game over when Australia’s two debutants removed Pakistan’s biggest dangers.
Swepson (2-53) trapped Azam plumb lbw, with the Pakistan skipper blowing a review in the process.
And Nathan Ellis (1-36) ended Pakistan’s resistance when he bowled Ul Haq.
It was an impressive win for Australia given the visitors entered the match with just 13 fit players to choose from after being ravaged by injuries and COVID-19.
Less than 24 hours after Josh Inglis entered isolation after contracting COVID-19, spinner Ashton Agar was also struck down with the virus.
Allrounder Mitch Marsh (hip) and Steve Smith (elbow) were injured, while Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, and David Warner were all rested from the white-ball component of the tour.
13th Man
Roar Rookie
I have no issue with either, but would lean towards Marsh due to age/longevity and probably more consistent performances in recent times. Both have had great success in captaining at BBL level.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
The second test, maybe not.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Probably but winning the last test series in Pakistan has clearly helped his chances.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
I think that might have been arranged quite a few months ago.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Don l heard Cummings endorsed McDonald for the permanent role as Test coach also Lehmann suggesting Ponting getting the gong as 50 over & T20 coach
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Yeah, fair call. I'm not overly fussed either way. I probably lean towards Marsh over Maxwell based on age/longevity remaining. But don't care too much.
DTM
Roar Rookie
Australia's World Cup Team 1 Head or Phillipe 2 Inglis 3 Marnus or Smith 4 Maxwell 5 Marsh 6 Green 7 Agar 8 Cummins 9 Abbott 10 Hazelwood 11 Zampa Thoughts?
DTM
Roar Rookie
I think either Marsh or Maxwell would slot straight into the role - both experience 20 over cricketers and both secure in the team. I would prefer Maxwell over Marsh but wouldn't complain either way.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Just needed to come in a bit earlier - certainly ahead of Carey. I like Carey as an ODI batsman (not iT20 - nowhere near it), but he's not a big hitter, notwithstanding he can turn the strike over and keep the scoring rate up. He's a consolidator with the ability to up his scoring rate from there. Perhaps that's where they got the Carey/Green order wrong: IMO Carey wasn't seen as the big hitting finisher, so they held Green back for that role - but that seems to be to acommodate Carey; but to my mind that's a waste of the resources of the better batsman (Green). Score the runs as early and as quickly as you can, rather than setting the batting line up to accommodate what a particular batsmen *can't do*. I think Green has the capability to start #4 and bat well into the 45+ overs; adjusting risk approach along the way.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Green looked so good last night with the bat. He played completely defensive shots to balls that were not there to be hit. But balls that could be scored off, he push for ones and twos. And balls to be hit away, he found the boundary. It was mostly all normal cricket shots to accrue runs without wild swings on the hope-and-a-prayer of connecting. I'll admit I didn't stay up for his bowling, so will need to check out how we went, noting his ER was high.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
I would have thought Marsh is almost assured of replacing Finch as captain in T20. Question is when. I just can't see carrying Finch through to the WC in October does anyone any good. Problem is, we are running out of time ahead of the WC. After Pakistan, we have 3 T20s in Sri Lanka in July. The India 3-format series planned for October has been pushed back to March, but I suspect Australia may still play the T20 leg in India prior to the WC. But even so, it's not many matches for the side to get into a rhythm ahead of the WC.
bowledover
Roar Rookie
I just knew you'd have that detail to hand :stoked:
Sgt Pepperoni
Roar Rookie
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
You're the one who seems troubled by it all. I converse with stacks of people. You only have me. I get why you persist.
Sgt Pepperoni
Roar Rookie
Have you considered time away from the roar Don? I'm not sure that it's healthy for you
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Oh you pretend alright. You certainly don't seem interested in sport.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
I believe that is what they call "trolling".
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Yea it is odd he should be bowling at least 5
Sgt Pepperoni
Roar Rookie
Hey I don't pretend to know the players No need to start a fight in every single thread Don. Just learn to chill out
matth
Roar Guru
So wrong on so many levels