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1st ODI : Cameron White scripts Australia's biggest chase at Gabba.Filed under
Pak in Aus 2010
1stODI-Gabba2010
275, ever since one day cricket started, has been considered as good score to defend but evolution of twenty20 cricket in last couple of years is fast changing the equation..Today at Gabba, chasing 275, home team almost crusied home despite some mighty fine new ball bowling under light from Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer. even Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, coming in first change, got the ball to move out nicely up to the 18th over mark but in return, visitors found only 2 wickets, of both openers Shane Watson and Shaun Marsh. Ricky Ponting too struggled his way to 27 off 47 balls with a single four (pulled to square leg nicely, luckily) but by the time he got out, Aussie score had touched respectable 84 for 3 at the end of 18th over. Cameron White, coming in ahead of Michael Hussey at number 5 as it was the case throughout Indian tour last year, didn't take too long to get set and counter attacked Pakistani spinners at a crucial juncture of this match and it worked.. Carrying his T20 Big Bash form where White had recently guided his Queensland team to finals, kick started with a perfect sweep shot as his first four and soon raised a century partnership for 4th wicket with Michael Clarke off just 111 balls in adverse conditions. Clarke was run out in follow-through by Rana Naved-ul-Hasan but White continued. At 40th over mark, Australians needed 75 more (6 wkts in hand) and match could have gone both ways. 41st over, White hit Shahid Afridi for a hattrick of flat sixes and nearly sealed the game. Cameron was bowled trying an overambitious lofted drive but experience of Michael Hussey and batting power play had left no chance for opposition by then. Earlier, Pakistan went off to a brisk start after electing to bat with left and right hand combination of Salman Butt and Kamran Akmal adding 62 by the 13th over. Aussie bowlers couldn't swing the new ball much on a hot Brisbane afternoon but return spell of Doug Bollinger and Shane Watson broke Pakistani batting's back with quick wickets of Salman Butt, Mohammad Yousuf and Umar Akmal. Shoaib Mallik departed trying to up the ante in 40th over and Younus Khan and Mohammad Aamer were claimed in same over by Clint McKay. Shahid Afridi, utilising same Big Bash form that he had gained playing for Redbacks here in Australia, smashed 48 off just 26 balls with 3 strong hit sixes and even raised hope for a target in excess of 300. Sadly, Pakistan couldn't play their full quota of overs and missed out on crucial runs which may have won them the game. The scoresPakistan 274 allout in 49.4 overs.S Butt 74, S Afridi 48 (26b, 3x6), S Watson 4 for 36, Clint MaKay 3/61 Australia 275 for 5 wkt in 48.3 ovs C White 105(88b, 8x4, 4x6), Clarke 58 Full scorecard : Aus v Pak, 1st one day. 2nd century for Cameron White : in one day cricket today, and now his best score ever as well. White's previous best score in Australia was only 45 so it was his first half century at home too. 2nd biggest chase at Brisbane : is now 275 by Australia in this game. The only other total bigger than this chased successfully here at Gabba ground in Brisbane has been 284, achieved by West Indies against Australia back in year 1997. Best bowling by Shane Watson : is now 4 for 36 in this match. Shane Watson has played 97 ODIs for Australia and his previous best bowling performance was 4 for 39 against ICC world XI back in October 2005. Photo Quiz : Identify Cricketers | Pictures : Cricketers Wife & Girlfriends Related ArticlesPak in Aus 2010
1stODI-Gabba2010
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