Australia vs Pakistan, Cricket World Cup 2019: Aussies hold off spirited Pakistan

What is Australia's best batting order? Will Nathan Lyon ever play? Do we have enough firepower? Justin Langer's men might have beat Pakistan but these questions were glaringly obvious as the match went down to the wire.

Nathan Lyon nicknamed Mitchell Starc ‘The FLOAT’ last week.

It stood for ‘Fastest left-armer of all time’ after Starc clocked 150 ODI wickets faster than anybody else.

But Lyon should’ve dubbed Starc, ‘The Resuscitator’. Because for the second time in less than a week, Starc brought Australia back to life at the death.

The strike bowler’s double-strike in the space of three balls set Australia on course for a 3-1 record at the World Cup.

The margin was 41 runs. It was also one second, which was what the DRS countdown displayed as uncertain captain Aaron Finch gestured to go upstairs.

Entering Starc’s ninth over, Pakistan required just 45 runs from 36 balls. Sarfaraz Ahmed (39 off 47) and Wahab Riaz (45 off 38) were set at the crease.

The Australians celebrate the win after the final wicket fell.

On Starc’s second ball, Alex Carey wildly appealed for caught behind but Starc looked unconvinced, and returned to his mark.

But Finch went up with Carey and ultimately went upstairs, where snicko showed Riaz had to go.

So, too, went Pakistan’s chances of chasing down Australia’s target of 308. Starc bagged 2/43 as death bowler Kane Richardson, who made his World Cup debut, wasn't required to close out a tense run chase.

But this was not in coach Justin Langer’s handbook.

Usman Khawaja batting at No.6 with Glenn Maxwell and Finch combining as the fifth bowler. What the?

Thankfully, it mattered little. Pakistan imploded as Australia made it 15 wins from 16 starts against the team that rolled England last week.

Pakistan put up a fight with the bat before falling just short.

Phew. Almost halfway through the tournament, they are on track for the semi-finals, along with England, New Zealand and India.

David Warner’s blazing century, Aaron Finch’s flush hitting and, again, Starc’s death bowling masked multiple problems for Langer’s team.

What is the best batting order? Who is the third seamer? Is there enough firepower in the middle? When will Lyon play?

This was a danger game for Finch’s men and they lived dangerously.

Finch was dropped twice, including a sitter that flew to Asif Ali at first slip on 26, while David Warner was dropped once. Pakistan’s spinners bowled no-balls and they committed misfields and overthrows.

… AT LEAST PUNTER WOULD BE HAPPY

Assistant coach Ricky Ponting’s comments last month suddenly look profound.

“The biggest thing you have to be wary of with World Cups is just how hard you train and how often you train, because you don’t want to use your whole tank up too early in the tournament,” he said.

“Try to build up and start playing your best cricket through the middle of the tournament and hopefully peak at the right time.”

Tournament play requires teams to build and build and Punter should know, winning three World Cups.

At least there was plenty of room for improvement with the Aussies yet to play a perfect game.

BATTING MESS

Glenn Maxwell was promoted to No.4 to cash in on the hot start by Finch and Warner and it backfired.

Maxwell lasted just 10 balls and suddenly modest strikers Shaun Marsh and Usman Khawaja were left to hit out at the death.

Khawaja was listed at No.3 and came in at No.6, and Australia’s lack of middle-order firepower is a glaring weakness.

CAPTAIN’S CALL

Sarfaraz Ahmed is a good judge of character.

Asked in the pre-match press conference if he would follow Indian counterpart Virat Kohli’s lead and tell Pakistan fans not to boo Steve Smith, Sarfaraz gave a little clip to the Indians.

"I don't think Pakistani people will do that," Sarfaraz said. "Pakistani people love cricket, they love to support and they love the players.”

Well, credit where credit is due. He was right.

Sarfaraz knew fans wouldn't give Steve Smith a hard time.

Pakistan’s loud and festive bays of supporters – they dominated the crowd of about 8500 – sang and cheered and played music from the first ball in Taunton.

But they showed all of the Aussies respect, even giving David Warner a standing ovation after his brilliant knock.

Steve Smith only hung around for 13 balls, but there were no audible boos. Well played, Pakistanis.

GOAT WATCHES ON AS ALL-ROUNDER AARON GOES BANG

Nathan Lyon was on the ropes – literally, standing at long on as the substitute fielder – as Aaron Finch came on to bowl.

Yes, Lyon was yet to bowl a single delivery at the World Cup as Finch came on for his first trundle.

Lyon might’ve wondered what he had to do to get a bowl, given Pakistan was going along beautifully at the time.

But Finch, who bowled in the nets pre-game, changed that. Or, more accurately, Mohammad Hafeez changed that.

Aaron Finch celebrates his wicket.

Hafeez hoicked a filthy Finch full toss straight to Mitchell Starc who was standing on the rope.

Finch’s celebration said it all. He lifted both arms awkwardly as a bad ball picked up a crucial wicket.

When Pat Cummins picked up Shoaib Malik just three balls later, and Pakistan was 5/147, the Aussies appeared to be on their way.

HOT IDEA FOR THE COLD

Adam Zampa’s hand-warmers put the cricket world in a spin on Sunday as footage of Zampa with his hands in his pockets went viral.

Well, the Taunton merchandise stores missed a trick.

They would’ve been wise to stock some given the icy conditions this was played in.

Pakistan shivered through 10C chills in the field and even the umpires wore gloves.

But, thankfully, the rain stayed away after three washouts in four days leading in.

Early in the match, Melbourne’s temperature at 8pm had Taunton at 11am covered. Welcome to summer in England. Brrrr.

David Warner interacts with fans after a solid knock with the bat.

DAVID WARNER’S TON…THE EMOTION

David Warner charged towards the Australian dressing room and leapt high into the air.

He kissed the Australian badge on his helmet and embraced teammate Shaun Marsh with a long hug.

Warner looked to the skies and his wife, Candice, quickly posted on Instagram: “The smile says it all. This is just the start”.

You could tell how much this knock meant to Warner.

Originally published as Australia vs Pakistan, Cricket World Cup 2019: Aussies hold off spirited Pakistan

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