Pakistan vs. Australia-5th ODI

[Gozu]

It would be good to see us win tonight and wrap the series up 4-1 and as tempting as it would be to say Pakistan will be looking to salvage some pride from what I've seen of them this series they don't seem to have a whole lot of it. Younus Khan is struggling both with the bat and with the captaincy. He seems to be playing with zero confidence and that appears to be filtering it's way down to the troops.

Michael Clarke's having a great series as stand-in skipper and Watson's making some runs. Bollinger's trying to press for the Ashes squad and Hauritz should've already booked his flight. Maybe Brett Lee will make his comeback tonight after Stuart Clark's successful return but looks likely to be held out until the Twenty/20 match.

[rod_rooster]

Good to see Watto opening the batting where he belongs. He is no number 3 but is a good opening bat in limited overs cricket. Why Hughes isn't playing i'll never know though.

I am a bit dissapointed that Ferg hasn't been given a chance up the order though. He should be at 3 or 4 IMHO. If i was in charge he'd be the player to replace Hussey if he fails in the first two tests in England.

[rod_rooster]

Well the massively overrated North gets 2 chances at 3 an gets 1 and 5 He's a good player but no way is he a number 3 at international level.

[NFC]

Watto= superstar.

[rod_rooster]

Watto= superstar.

I wouldn't go that far but he has matured a lot as a batsman and is a really good opening bat in the one day game. He could develop into an good player in the longer form of the game as well if only he gives up on trying to bowl.

He batted at 3 in the first three games and did nothing then finally common sense prevailed and he opened and surprise surprise he is making runs. Cricket isn't rocket science but some people must think it is. How you would have Hopes and Haddin opening when you could have Watson and Hughes doing the job just defies belief.

[rod_rooster]

Well don Watto 100* (132)

Good knock. More evidence he needs to can the bowling and focus on being a batsman.

Ferg going really well also with 35 (35)

[NFC]

TON IT UP SON!

I think he could be an excellent ODI opener and his average is already looking pretty healthy, I think it was mid 30's before today's innings.

He did make 40 and 30 at #3, two good scores, but he's clearly an opener and since being shifted to that position he's made two great knocks.

[rod_rooster]

Watto carried his bat!! Great Knock.

Aus 4/246

Watson 116* (146)
Ferguson 41* (42)

Stop trying to bowl Watto FFS!

[mal]

40
30
0
85*
116*
ave 90-33

On shit pitches where sides struggled to make 200 in total

The great man continues his good form as a top order batsman

bradMAN
watSON

[brod]

AUSTRALIA 4/250
SR Watson 116* (146 balls)
CJ Ferguson 41* (42 balls)
BJ Haddin 36 (31 balls)

A few stats
Brad Haddin
- Extends lead in most ODI runs in 2009 (719 runs, 2nd is M CLarke 599 runs)
- Most ODI fours in 2009 (64 fours, 2nd is V Sehwag 63 fours)
Shane Watson 116*
- 2nd highest score in Australian in UAE (D Jones 117* vs SL 1990)
- 7th highest score Aus vs Pakistan
- 3rd highest score by an Aus opener vs Pakistan
- Lowest strikerate of any hundred scored Aus vs Pakistan
5th wicket partership Watson/Ferguson 85*
- Highest 5th wicket partnership by Aus in UAE
- 4th highest 5th wicket partnership Aus vs Pakistan

[brod]

Nearly forgot this one...

Marcus North 5
- Highest ODI score

[brod]

A couple more

Shane Watson
- Scored his 1500th ODI run for Aus (22nd player to do so)
- Overtook Brad Haddin for 22nd All-time Aus run scorer
Callum Ferguson
- Become only the second player not in the Top 50 Aus All-time ODI run scorers to score 3 half-centuries (Keith Stackpole the other)

[brod]

PAKISTAN 1/2 (0.4 overs)

Laughlin runs out Butt for the dreaded DIAMOND DUCK

[jackpot jim]

Silly Billy Bowden, you GOOSE

[brod]

PAKISTAN 1/8 (5 overs)

4 runs off the bat in 5 overs

[Gozu]

Australia 4/250

Watson 116* (146)
Ferguson 41* (42)

Ajmal 1/40


Pakistan 3/254

Akmal 116* (115)
Misbah 76* (81)

Hauritz 2/44

Pakistan won by 7 wickets

MOTM: Kamran Akmal
MOTS: Michael Clarke

Australia won the series 3-2

[Dogwatcher]

Wow - a Paki win. I thought 250 would be good enough on that deck.
Ferguson, what a star.
Have to give Watson some credit too, good innings.

[Pup]

Thank god that series is over.

Well batted Watson as well.

[cyclops]

well batted watson,but in hindsight 116 of 146 probably cost us the game.

[jackpot jim]

well batted watson,but in hindsight 116 of 146 probably cost us the game.

Totally Agree, Watsons' innings was selfish and cost the Aussies in the end. Seemed to be more concerned with playing for an Ashes spot than winning the game. Get rid of him i say.