“Thought I might never score hundred for Australia again,” said Warner in post-match talk.
Warner’s first hundred for Australia after making his comeback into International cricket helped Australia to win the match against Pakistan.
After winning the toss in overcast condition, Pakistan opted to bowl. Both the teams included extra pacer in their playing XIs.
Warner and Finch started cautiously in the first few overs, seeing the new ball. Once they got to set, they went after the bowling. The pair added 146 runs for the first wicket in just 22 overs. Mohammad Amir got the breakthrough when he dismissed Finch who made run a ball 82. Warner reached his hundred in 102 balls, but others around him just kept slogging and throwing away their wickets.
The Australian innings got over in the 49th over, an unexpected end to their innings after such a brilliant start. Mohammad Amir bowled an excellent spell, taking 5 for 30 in 10 overs when everyone else leaked runs more than 6 per over.
Australian Innings
Watch all of Australia’s best shots, led by a magnificent ? by @davidwarner31 and 82 by #AaronFinch which included four sixes!#CmonAussie #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/1vubHTPAzP
— ICC (@ICC) June 12, 2019
Pakistan started poorly in the run chase, losing Fakhar in the third over with just two runs on board. Imam was joined by Baba Azam and added 54 runs for the 2nd wicket. The partnership which kept Pakistan in the hunt, first between Imam and Azam and then Imam with Hafeez, pushed them close to the target. However, a sudden collapse in the middle overs put Pakistan on the backfoot. They lost four wickets for just 24 runs, but as usual, Pakistan kept surprising the fans and experts. First Hasan Ali blasted 32 off only 17 balls, and then Wahab smashed 45 off 39 keeping the hopes alive.
Pakistan required just 54 off 48 to win the match when Finch gave the ball to Starc, who dismissed both Wahab and Amir in the same over and got the game in Australia’s favour.
Pakistan innings (fall of wickets)
It was the Aussies who had the last laugh though with Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Kane Richardson doing the bulk of the damage.
Watch the wickets fall ?⤵#CmonAussie #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/SEAUsMzwUb
— ICC (@ICC) June 12, 2019
Stats
- Aaron Finch became the 4th Australian to hit 100 or more sixes in ODIs.
- David Warner scored his 15th ODI hundred, only Ponting (30), Mark Waugh (18), and Gilchrist (16) have score more hundred for Australia in ODIs.
- Mohammad Amir (5 for 30) took his maiden 5-wicket haul in ODIs.
- Coulter-Nile took his 50th ODI wicket in the match.
