World Cup: Australia smash Pakistan to continue unbeaten run

It was closer than when they first played in 1997 but after 13 tries Pakistan are still yet to beat Australia in a one-day international.

Australia easily took care of Pakistan at the World Cup in New Zealand (Photo by Marty MELVILLE / AFP)

Australian opener Alyssa Healy downplayed any injury concerns as the tournament favourites made a World Cup statement in their first clash against Pakistan for more than three years on Tuesday.

Healy smashed 72 in an emphatic batting performance which followed some excellent bowling in a seven-wicket victory at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui.

The win stretched Australia’s unbeaten run against Pakistan in one-day cricket to 13 games, a record spanning 25 years since their first encounter in 1997, and while Pakistan made 167 more runs than they did in that maiden match the total of 190 was not enough to quell the all-star Aussie line-up.

The Aussies, who have now won 33 of 35 ODIs sinde the 2017 World Cup semi-final exit, have put years of planning in to the tournament with an aim to be peaking at the back end because, as superstar batter Beth Mooney said before the game “no-one remembers how you start, they remember how you finish”.

But after a close first win over England which went to the final over and ahead of a showdown with tournament hosts New Zealand on Sunday, Australia reaching 3-193 with nearly 100 balls to spare was a sign the engine is humming nicely.

Her teammates know Healy brings her best to World Cups and she made her first half-century of the tournament, finishing with 72 off just 79 balls in an innings which could kick-start her campaign.

She dismissed any concern over a groin issue which seemed to hamper her and said she’d even be playing golf before the next clash in Wellington.

“It’s fine, I’m just getting old. I should be right,” Healy said when asked about her injury.

“Didn’t feel very good out there but was nice to spend time time in the middle and take some momentum in to New Zealand at the weekend.

“We’ll watch their game on Thursday and familiarise what they are going to throw at us.”

Alyssa Healy carved out a big half-century for Australia against Pakistan (Photo by Fiona Goodall/Getty Images)

Captain Meg Lanning made 35, Ellyse Perry was unbeaten on 26 and Beth Mooney hit the winning runs to take her total to 23 as the Aussies again lost only three wickets, with only five batters, including vice-captain Rachael Haynes, getting time at the crease through the opening two matches.

Australia was forced to make changes after the withdrawal of all-round superstar Tahlia McGrath with a sore heel and with teenage speedster Darcie Brown rested.

Leg-spinner Amanda-Jade Wellington came in for her first international appearance in almost three years and snared a wicket with just her fourth ball as the Aussies bowled 27 overs of spin on the slow surface with Alana King’s 2-24 the stand-out figures.

Alana King took 2-24 for Australia against Pakistan (Photo by Marty MELVILLE / AFP)

Pakistan pair Aliya Riaz (53) and captain Bismah Maroof (78 not out) earlier rescued their team from 4-44 combining for a 99-run partnership to frustrate the Australians for more than 30 overs.

Maroof celebrated her half-century by pointing her bat towards the pavilion where her seven-month-old baby Fatima and teammates were watching.

But even with the match being the third on the same pitch at the Bay Oval, the small total was never going to be enough and Australia romped to a second victory with four days off before the next showdown with tournament hosts New Zealand in Wellington.

Australia‘s World Cup 2022 fixtures

Mar 5: Australia def England by 12 runs

Mar 8: Australia def Pakistan by

Mar 13: v New Zealand, Basin Reserve, Wellington, 8am AEDT

Mar 15: v West Indies, Basin Reserve, Wellington, 8am AEDT

Mar 19: v India, Eden Park, Auckland, 12pm AEDT

Mar 22: v South Africa, Basin Reserve, Wellington, 8am AEDT

Mar 25: v Bangladesh, Basin Reserve, Wellington, 8am AEDT

Originally published as World Cup: Australia smash Pakistan to continue unbeaten run