Cricket: Waqar escapes further penalty over beamers

JOHANNESBURG - Pakistan captain Waqar Younis will not face any further action over the beamers he bowled to Australian batsman Andrew Symonds during their match in Johannesburg yesterday.

Waqar was ordered out of the attack by umpire David Shepherd after delivering two fast, high full-tosses to Symonds in the 49th over of the innings.

Shepherd took the action in accordance with law 42.6, which deals with dangerous and unfair bowling, and the over was completed by leg-spinner Shahid Afridi.

Match referee Clive Lloyd consulted the two on-field umpires, Shepherd and Asoka de Silva, and in a statement after the match said there would be no additional punishment after it was agreed the bowler's intentions were not deliberate.

Waqar said the deliveries came about as he searched for yorkers to try to restrict Symonds, who hammered 143 not out, his maiden one-day international hundred, in Australia's 82-run win.

"The first one slipped from my hand and he [Shepherd] warned me, and then it happened again and that is why I couldn't bowl my last few balls.

"I did apologise to Simmo [Symonds], you should ask him."

Symonds was clearly incensed by the deliveries, especially after the second full toss, which resulted in Waqar's removal from the attack.

He picked himself up after falling to the ground to avoid the ball and walked down the pitch towards Waqar before being waved away by Shepherd.

"It was just the moment, I had a lot of adrenalin flowing," Symonds said.

"I was looking to find the boundary, but he said sorry after the game and that is fine by me, I have no hard feelings towards him."

The Australians won the group A match after scoring 310 for eight. Pakistan responded with 228 all out.

The win was an emphatic response to anyone wondering if Australia could win without Shane Warne. If they can maintain this form it would be hard to see any other side taking their title from them.

Australia were in deep trouble at 86 for four before the 27-year-old Symonds, a player whose inconsistent career had barely justified his selection, took control in a 125-ball effort featuring 18 fours and two sixes.

It was the highest score by an Australian at the World Cup.

Skipper Ricky Ponting, who contributed a vital 53, was proud of his players.

"I couldn't have asked for better out of my first cup game as captain," he said. "We were in early trouble, we just had to bat for a while and get the momentum going our way.

"Then when I got out Andrew played one of the best one-day innings I've seen for a long time."

Pakistan, with only 49 overs to face after being docked one for a slow over-rate, were unable to gain any sort of momentum in the face of some impressive bowling.

- REUTERS

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