CRICKET:AUSTRALIA produced arguably their best performance of the summer to record a crushing 140-run victory over Pakistan in the second one-day international at the SCG.
Having posted an imposing 267 for six on the back of half-centuries from Shane Watson and Cameron White, Doug Bollinger (two for 19) and Peter Siddle (one for 23) produced fearsome opening spells to leave the tourists’ pursuit in tatters.
Skipper Mohammad Yousuf, who was left to rue his decision to insert the hosts in ideal batting conditions, top scored with a defiant 58 off 94 balls, but it was not enough to prevent an embarrassing defeat as Pakistan were all out for 127 inside 38 overs.
Australia now lead the five-match series 2-0 ahead of tomorrow’s clash at the Adelaide Oval.
Both Pakistan openers beat the bat repeatedly from the outset but Bollinger claimed the early spoils, removing Salman Butt (2) and Younus Khan for a duck in the fifth over when both men edged to White at second slip.
Things went from bad to worse when Kamran Akmal (16) was run out by a brilliant piece of fielding from Clint McKay (three for 15) off his own bowling.
And when younger brother Umar Akmal was bowled by a brilliant delivery from Siddle without scoring, the tourists’ fate was sealed.
Shahid Afridi gave the Pakistan contingent in the healthy 30,774 crowd some reason to cheer when he despatched Nathan Hauritz (two for 45) into the stands, but his aggression soon saw him undone. Rana Naved showed some resistance, blasting 27 off 22 including two sixes and a boundary, before he was stumped by Brad Haddin attempting to hit Hauritz out of the stadium.
McKay claimed the prized wicket of Yousuf before finishing the job with the wicket of Saeed Ajmal to finish with career-best figures.
Earlier, Watson (69) set the tone at the top of the order as he dominated his 100-run opening stand with Shaun Marsh (41), belting seven boundaries and one six in his entertaining knock.
The in-form opener eventually fell when he was well caught by Shoaib Malik at mid-wicket off the bowling of Afridi (two for 35).
The dangerous leg-spinner removed Marsh soon after and momentum continued to shift towards Pakistan when Ricky Ponting (13) mistimed an attempted drive to Yousuf off Mohammad Aamer (three for 53).
But White picked up where he left off at the Gabba on Friday night, striking 55 off 57 deliveries to leave the hosts well placed at the interval.
Mike Hussey (29) provided good support as he and White put on 55 runs for the fifth wicket before some late hitting from Brad Haddin (27) boosted the total.
