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Cricket World Cup 2019: Australia v Pakistan live, Warner stars in nervy win

David Warner silenced his critics, as Australia scored a crucial win over Pakistan | WATCH

Daniel Sankey and Agencies
11 min read
4:32AMJune 13, 2019.
Updated 9:06AMJune 13, 2019
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Australia's Glenn Maxwell, centre, is embraced by teammates after running out Pakistan's captain Sarfaraz Ahmed for victory in their World Cup game. Picture: AFP
Australia's Glenn Maxwell, centre, is embraced by teammates after running out Pakistan's captain Sarfaraz Ahmed for victory in their World Cup game. Picture: AFP

Australia v Pakistan, World Cup preliminary match at the Somerset County Ground in Taunton. Australia have won by 41 runs.

Warner stars as Aussies claim nervy win

David Warner erased any lingering doubt about his batting since his comeback to the Australian team from a 12-month ban with an almost run-a-ball century to help the defending World Cup champions hold off Pakistan by 41 runs, AP reports.

Warner wasn’t exactly back to his best, but he still reached his first hundred for Australia since 2017 from 102 balls, stroking 11 boundaries and a six in the process.

He launched the innings with a 146-run opening stand with skipper Aaron Finch (82) that set the foundation for a big total at Somerset’s County Ground, although Australia’s last six wickets fell for 30 as Pakistan rallied to restrict the total to 307.

Maxwell runs and celebrates with captain Aaron Finch after running out Sarfaraz Ahmed. Picture: AP
Maxwell runs and celebrates with captain Aaron Finch after running out Sarfaraz Ahmed. Picture: AP

Left-arm paceman Mohammad Amir led the Pakistan attack and completed a career-best haul of 5-30 when Mitchell Starc was caught at long-on to end Australia’s innings in the 49th over.

Pakistan lost its first wicket in the third over to Pat Cummins (3-33) but kept the run chase tense with a series of batting contributions until skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed (40) was run out to end the innings at 266.

Imam-ul-Haq shared partnerships of 54 with Babar Azam (30) and 80 with Mohammad Hafeez (48) before he was caught behind off Cummins in the 26th over for 53.

Pakistan had a slide of 3-11 and its hopes appeared to fade at 147-5 when Hafeez was caught on the deep midwicket boundary to a rank full-toss from part-timer Finch, bowling slow left-arm orthodox, and Shoaib Malik was caught behind from an inside edge off Cummins in the next over.

Wahab Riaz hits out during his innings. Picture: Getty Images
Wahab Riaz hits out during his innings. Picture: Getty Images

But a 15-ball 32 from Hasan Ali and the 64-run eighth-wicket partnership between Sarfaraz and Wahab Riaz kept Pakistan right in the chase.

Wahab’s 45 from 39 balls ended in a caught-behind decision only given after Australia reviewed the initial not out call because wicketkeeper Alex Carey was convinced Starc (2-43) had got a thin edge.

The keeper proved correct, and Starc picked up another wicket two balls later to make it 9-265. Sarfraz was last man out, run out by Glenn Maxwell in the 46th over.

Until then, it was all about Warner.

When he edged between wicketkeeper and slip for a boundary in the 36th over to reach triple figures he ran up the pitch before punching the air to celebrate his 15th ODI century — and his first in any format for Australia since a Test against England in December, 2017.

Mohammad Amir is bowled by Mitchell Starc. Picture: Getty Images
Mohammad Amir is bowled by Mitchell Starc. Picture: Getty Images

He was rubbed out of the representative game for 12 months for his part in a ball-tampering scandal in South Africa in March last year that rocked Australian cricket.

Warner was booed by the crowd in each of his previous appearances at the World Cup, and was under scrutiny from critics despite scoring runs because his unbeaten 89 against Afghanistan, his three against West Indies and his 56 against India all came at an uncharacteristically slow strike rate.

Warner was only jeered by the heavily pro-Pakistan crowd on Wednesday when he was dropped cold by Asif Ali at third man on 104, but that was more likely frustration at yet another fielding error from the Pakistani team.

His innings came to end with Australia at 4-242 in the 38th over, when he miscued Shaheen Afridi (2-70) to Imam at deep point.

The scene at Taunton during Pakistan’s innings. Picture: Getty Images
The scene at Taunton during Pakistan’s innings. Picture: Getty Images

Apart from Warner and Finch, nobody in the Australian lineup scored more than Shaun Marsh’s 23 as Amir continued to trouble the batsmen with his movement off the seam.

The strike-rate seemed to be the only question over Warner’s form and mental state in England, and he responded the best wayhe could.

Sarfaraz had no hesitation in sending Australia in to bat after back-to-back washouts on Days 12 and 13 and with rain on the forecast.

In the end, there were no interruptions for rain and Australia extended its ODI winning streak against Pakistan to nine, and improved to 3-1 from four games at the World Cup.

— AP

David Warner celebrates his ton. Picture: AP
David Warner celebrates his ton. Picture: AP

Below, how Australia’s innings unfolded:

Daniel Sankey 11.05pm: Australia bowled out for 307

The final wicket falls on 307, with Mitchell Starc caught by Shoiab Malik off the bowling of the super-impressive Mohammad Amir (5-30).

Australia will be bitterly disappointed with that total. For much of the innings, it seemed at least 350 was on the cards — particularly given the 146-run opening partnership in just 22 overs between Aaron Finch (82) and David Warner (107).

But the scorecard beyond Australia’s opening batsman makes for frustrating reading — five batsmen reaching double figures and none of them managing to get more than 23. There will be much discussion on whether it was the right call to shift Usman Khawaja (18) from no.3 to no.6, while Steve Smith (10), Glenn Maxwell (20), Shaun Marsh (23) and Alex Carey (20) simply couldn’t go on with it after getting starts.

As it now stands, the momentum seems to have swung back to Pakistan, who’ll fancy their chances of making 308 on a ground that traditionally offers up massive scores for batting teams.

While that ends our live commentary for this evening, you can continue to follow live scores at the top of the page — and we’ll have a full match report at the close of the Australian innings around 4am AEST.

Daniel Sankey 11.04pm: End is nigh for Aussies

Just the one wicket left now for Australia as Alex Carey (20 off 22 deliveries) is trapped LBW by Mohammad Amir. Carey reviews the decision but replays show the umpire’s out call is spot on — the ball would have cannoned into middle and leg.

Australia are now 9-304 as Kane Richardson strides to the crease with 9 deliveries remaining.

Daniel Sankey 10.55pm: Cummins the next to fall

Pakistan are well and truly back in this game. They now have an eighth wicket, with Pat Cummins (2 from 6 deliveries) caught by wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Ahmed off the bowling of Hassan Ali.

In fairness to Cummins, it was a brilliant piece of bowling from Ali, who got one to rise sharply off a length. Cummins probably did well to get an edge to it, but that will be little consolation to the big paceman.

Australia are now 8-302 with just 15 deliveries remaining in the innings and all the responsibility resting on the shoulders of Alex Carey, who’s on 19 not out from as many deliveries.

Daniel Sankey 10.50pm: Coulter-Nile out for 2

Nathan Coulter-Nile fails to repeat his heroics against the West Indies, falling for just 2 as he gets an inside edge off the bowling of Wahab Riaz and is caught by wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Ahmed.

Australia are now 70299 in the 47th over, with Alex Carey (18 not out from 18 deliveries) joined in the middle by paceman Pat Cummins.

Daniel Sankey 10.41.pm: Pakistan strike again as 350 hopes fade

Just 45 minutes ago, a score of 350-plus seemed a formality — now, the Australians would most likely happily settle for 330 as Shaun Marsh’s dismissal sees them slump to 6-288 in the 45th over.

Marsh is another to fall to a catch in the deep as he skies a drive off the bowling of Mohammad Amir (3-23) to Shoaib Malik at long off.

The big-hitting Nathan Coulter-Nile is the next man in.

Daniel Sankey 10.30pm: Khawaja falls for 18

Australia’s decision to drop Usman Khawaja from no.3 to no.6 in the batting order backfires as he’s caught at mid-off attempting to drive Mohammad Amir (2-18 off 7.1 overs) down the ground. Khawaja goes for 18 off 16 deliveries and Australia is 5-277.

Explosive wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Carey is the next man in, joining Shaun Marsh (21 not out from 22 deliveries).

Daniel Sankey 10.12pm: Warner’s knock comes to an end

David Warner’s brilliant century ends just minutes after he brought up the milestone as he’s caught at deep point by Imam ul-Haq off the bowling of Shaheen Afridi.

Slapping his bat in frustration as he leaves the field, Warner is out for 107 off just 11 deliveries as Australia fall to 4-242 in the 38th over. Usman Khawaja now joins Shaun Marsh (6 not out) in the middle.

An interesting statistic from Cric Viz: Khawaja averages just 10.60 at a strike rate of 69.73 when batting in the final 15 overs of an innings. Granted, as an opening batsman or no.3 at most times, he rarely gets an opportunity to bat at this stage of the innings — but if Australia is to push for a total of 350, Khawaja has an important role to play in the next 10 or so overs.

Daniel Sankey 10.01pm: Warner brings up his century

He may have brought up his century with an edge between wicketkeeper and slip, but David Warner couldn’t have cared less as he celebrated wildly after bringing up his century.

Warner’s 101 not out, from just 102 balls, has been a destructive, yet measured, knock — a far cry from the tentative figure he cut in Australia’s opening three matches. He’s hit every bad ball served up but was also happy to play the anchor as Aaron Finch teed off earlier in the innings.

With just under 15 overs remaining and Australia at 3-232, Warner will now set his sights on batting through the innings as Australia chase a total around the 350-mark.

Daniel Sankey 9.54pm: Bowled him! Maxwell departs

A promising start from Glenn Maxwell isn’t converted into a big score, with Glenn Maxwell (20 off 10 deliveries) bowled by Shaheen Afridi.

Facing just the fourth ball after the drinks break, Maxwell attempted to smash Afridi back over his head, but the Pakistan left-arm paceman was equal to the task, sneaking the ball between bat and pad to strike middle and off.

Shaun Marsh is the new batsman, joining David Warner, who’s on 95 not out (99 deliveries) and closing in on a well-deserved century. Australia 3-224 after 34 overs.

Daniel Sankey 9.34pm: Smith slogs, falls

A scratchy Steve Smith (10 from 13 deliveries) fails to make the most of his promotion to no.3 in the batting order as he skies Mohammad Hafeez and is caught by Asif Ali, who takes a good grab running back from cover with the flight of the ball.

It’s a disappointing shot from Smith, who was attempting to whack Hafeez through the on-side when the shot straight down the ground seemed the safer option.

Instead, all Smith is able to do is get a leading edge to a bowler who’s struggled to contain the Aussie batsmen.

Now 2-189 in the 29th over, Australia are still scoring at more than 6.5 runs per over as David Warner (81 not out from 78 deliveries) picks up where Aaron Finch left off.

Glenn Maxwell is the next man in as he’s promoted above both Usman Khawaja, who was originally listed at no.3, and Shaun Marsh (no.4).

9.24pm: Amir puts pressure on Aussies

Daniel Sankey 9.04pm: Finch holes out for 82

Finally, a breakthrough for Pakistan as they get the crucial wicket of the in-form Aaron Finch (82 from 84 deliveries). After bringing up his 50, Finch went on the attack, smashing 30 runs from just 18 deliveries before holing out at deep cover of fthe bowling of Mohammad Amir.

David Warner (50 not out from 51 deliveries) is the not out batsman as Steve Smith — promoted to bat ahead of Usman Khawaja — strides to the wicket with Australia at 1-146 in the 23rd over.

A score of 350 — and potentially more — is still on the cards for the Aussies, who are scoring at a run rate of just under 6.5 an over with nine wickets in hand.

Daniel Sankey 8.42pm: Australia 0-107 at drinks

Advantage Australia. Aaron Finch has survived a couple of chances and he’s made Pakistan pay, moving to 52 not out (63 deliveries) with a cracking cover drive for four that takes Australia to 0-100.

Spinner Mohammad Hafeez tries to cramp the Aussie captain up for room the very next ball but he overpitches — and Finch gleefully smashes him over the long-on boundary for six.

We go to the drinks break after 17 overs and Australia is 0-107, with David Warner (38 off 37) also closing in on a half century.

Daniel Sankey 8.30pm: Finch survives, again

Another life for Aaron Finch as the umpire turns down an LBW shout off the bowling of Wahab Riaz. Pakistan chooses to review the decision and it’s closer than what it looked in real time, with ball tracking showing it was indeed clipping the bails after pitching right on the line of leg stump and straightening.

That’s now two lives used up by Finch, who’s on 39 not (51 deliveries). His opening partner David Warner is on 38 not out (35 deliveries) and Australia are 0-85 from 14.2 overs.

Daniel Sankey 8.22pm: Finch dropped

A life for Australian captain Aaron Finch (26 not out), who gets a thick edge off a wide ball from Wahab Riaz but is dropped by Asif Ali at a wide slip. It was a regulation chance for Asif, who got both hands to the ball at head height.

To add insult to injury, the ball races away for a boundary and then Finch follows up with another four the very next ball. He moves to 34 not out from 45 deliveries and Australia are 0-75 in the 13th over.

Daniel Sankey 8.10pm: 50 up for Australia

The 50 is up for Australia (0-51) in the 10th over of the innings, with David Warner (28 off 19 deliveries) and Aaron Finch (22 off 36 deliveries) taking the attack to the Pakistan bowlers.

They haven’t had things all their own way, with both batsman playing and missing on occasion in overcast conditions that are obviously suited to swing bowling.

However, when they’ve been given a loose ball, both Finch and Warner have made Pakistan pay. Warner, in particular, has been quick to seize on anything short or on the legside.

Daniel Sankey 7.48pm: Finch, Warner unleash early

Openers Aaron Finch and David Warner have wasted no time in showing their attacking intent, plundering 17 runs from Shaheen Afridi’s second over to take Australia to 0-27 after four overs.

Finch got a half-tracker with the first ball of the over and duly dispatched it over the midwicket boundary for six, with Warner getting into the act with boundaries later in the over. Warner’s first 11 runs have come from just six deliveries.

Australia’s David Warner is in the runs early against Pakistan. Picture: AP
Australia’s David Warner is in the runs early against Pakistan. Picture: AP

Daniel Sankey 7.34pm: Swing tests Aussie openers

It’s cold, it’s overcast and the pressure is already on Australian openers Aaron Finch and David Warner.

Pakistan left-armer Mohammad Amir has already swung a couple of deliveries back towards the pads of Australian captain Aaron Finch. He opens the innings with a maiden over and with the temperature at just 12 degrees, long sleeves are currently the order of the day for the Pakistan fieldsmen.

If Australia can get through this testing early period, though, there are runs to be made. With short boundaries (around 65m) on both sides of the wicket, the County Ground at Taunton is consistently a batsman’s paradise in domestic one-day cricket in England.

Daniel Sankey 7.06pm: Pakistan to bowl, Zampa dropped

Little surprise that in overcast conditions and with a tinge of green on the pitch that, after winning the toss, Pakistan has chosen to bowl first.

What is a surprise, though, is that Australia will go into today’s match without a frontline spinner, with Adam Zampa making way for paceman Kane Richardson. With Marcus Stoinis also out injured, Shaun Marsh will get his chance and will bat at no.4.

AUSTRALIA: Aaron Finch (c), David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Alex Carey (wk), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Kane Richardson.

PAKISTAN: Imam ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, Sarfaraz Ahmed (c/wk), Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Wahab Riaz, Hassan Ali, Mohammad Amir, Shaheen Afridi.

6.50pm: Australia v Pakistan preview

Cricket World Cup organisers are hoping to get a result in the group game between defending champion Australia and Pakistan after washouts on consecutive days at Southampton and Bristol.

Cool temperatures and light rain are on the forecast for southwest England today but Britain’s Met Office is predicting only a slight chance of rain during the morning at the match venue in Taunton.

It was overcast and gloomy at Somerset’s County Ground before play on Day 14 of the tournament and the temperature was expected to be around 11 degrees at the scheduled toss.

Pakistan has already had a game washed out — against Sri Lanka in Bristol last Friday — and the second game at Bristol between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh was abandoned because of rain without a ball being bowled on Tuesday. There were only 7.3 overs played in the South Africa-West Indies game before it was washed out in Southampton on Monday.

Five-time champion Australia swept Pakistan 5-0 in a one-day international series in March and has won 14 of the past 15 head-to-head encounters. But the Australians are coming off a loss to India last Sunday in London and the absence of injured all-rounder Marcus Stoinis will enforce a line-up change.

Pakistan is coming off a confidence-boosting win over top-ranked England, which ended a run of 11 ODI losses.

AP

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Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/cricket/cricket-world-cup-2019-australia-v-pakistan-live-coverage-from-the-county-ground-taunton/news-story/a5c645c6e58670545580694a3853b71e