Cricket: Australia crush Pakistan again

Fast bowler Ryan Harris claimed 5-43 as Australia wrapped up the one-day series against Pakistan last night. Photo / Getty Images

ADELAIDE - Recalled fast man Ryan Harris made the vital incisions as a domineering Australian side celebrated the national day with a 40-run defeat of jaded Pakistan at Adelaide Oval.

Having combined neatly with the bat to tally 286-6, the Australians bowled Pakistan out for 246 in 47.4 overs to round up the series 3-0 and so complete their fifth consecutive limited overs tournament success since the Ashes.

They also banished the memory of a heavy defeat to South Africa in the corresponding match last summer.

Chosen in place of Peter Siddle (back soreness), 30-year-old Harris claimed 5-43 in only his second international and was named man of the match.

Harris demonstrated why selectors were so keen to pick him again after injuries ended his initial flirtation with the top level last summer.

Harris had strong support from Clint McKay (3-48) and the unlucky Doug Bollinger (0-35).

After the top order splintered badly, a composed partnership of 85 between the precocious Umar Akmal (59) and fellow youngster Fawad Alam (33) kept the contest from degenerating into the sort of hiding seen at the SCG on Sunday.

Shahid Afridi (40) then hit out with typical flair at the ground he called home with South Australia during the domestic Twenty20.

But Ricky Ponting's men were never seriously in danger of losing and will take an unbeatable lead to Perth.

Composed hands by Shaun Marsh (83) then Michael Clarke (80) had set the scene for late fireworks by Mike Hussey (49, 28 balls) as the home side posted an imposing tally in the afternoon after captain Ricky Ponting won the toss.

Their intelligent batting set Pakistan quite a task on a dry, slowing surface, and wickets were not long in falling.

Kamran Akmal was lbw to a ball that perhaps struck him in line and was probably hitting off stump, before Salman Butt was cruelly given out by umpire Asoka da Silva to a delivery that pitched comfortably outside leg stump.

Less doubt surrounded the wickets of Mohammad Yousuf, who cuffed Watson onto the stumps, and Younus Khan, nicking an attempted glide over slips to Brad Haddin.

At 60-4 the match was quickly drawing to a conclusion, but Umar and Alam showed some fight to extend the contest.

Harris, though, was keen to perform in front of what was once his home crowd, and snaffled Umar to a nick behind in the first over of his second spell.

He found a perfect yorker to unseat Afridi just as the destructive allrounder was threatening, and the wicket of Umar Gul completed an exceptional return.

Marsh earlier added 63 with Shane Watson (33) and 75 with vice-captain Clarke to shrug off a duck by Ponting and build a platform for the late assault, which duly arrived in the closing overs.

Hussey's hitting made a mess of Pakistan's field settings, particularly after the Australians took their batting powerplay.

The match was watched by a crowd of 15,521 that, while sold out, was less than the 17,722 who crammed in for Saturday's Twenty20 final.

SA officials blamed a poor turn-out among members for the discrepancy.

- AAP