Aussies clinch ODI series with unbeatable 3-0 lead
Australia clinched the five-match Commonwealth Bank series when they took an unbeatable 3-0 lead beating Pakistan by 40 runs in the third ODI in Adelaide on January 26. Chasing a challenging target of 287 for victory, Pakistan were all out for 246 in 47.4 overs.
Umar Akmal was the top scorer for the visitors with 59. Shahid Afridi played a cameo of 40 off just 29 deliveries but opener Salman Butt was unlucky to be adjudged lbw when batting on 34. Fawad Alam and Rana Naved each contributed 33 useful runs. Ryan Harris was the most successful Australian bowler claiming 5 for 43. He was ably supported by Clint McKay who finished with 3 for 48.
Batting first, Australia piled up an impressive total of 286 for 6 thanks mainly to Shaun Marsh’s 83 and vice-captain Michael Clarke’s 80. Mike Hussey also played a brisk knock of 49 off only 28 balls to help Australia reach the total. Rana Naved was the most impressive Pakistani bowler claiming 2 for 57.
Harris was named Man of the Match.
Brief scores: Australia 286 for 6 (Marsh 83, Clarke 80, Hussey 49; Naved 2/57); Pakistan 246 (U Akmal 59, Afridi 40; Harris 5/43, McKay 3/48). Australia won by 40 runs.
