Warner, Cummins give Australia third win

Defending champions Australia cruised to a convincing 41-run victory over Pakistan in their ICC Cricket World Cup fixture worked off at the County Ground in Taunton yesterday.

Pakistan who were set a victory target of 307 runs folded up for 266 runs in 45.4 overs despite fighting knocks from Skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed, Hassan Ali and Wahab Riyaz.    
However, Australia held their nerves under pressure and picked up wickets at regular intervals through Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Kane Richardson.    

Earlier, Mohammad Amir took a one-day international best of five for 30 for Pakistan while David Warner made his first international century since completing a ball-tampering ban in Australia’s total of 307.

Australia looked set for a huge total after Warner and Captain Aaron Finch (82) had shared a first-wicket stand of 146 - the highest partnership for any wicket at this World Cup to date.
But left-arm quick Amir dragged Pakistan back into the game, returning figures that surpassed his previous best of four for 28 which are also the best in the tournament so far.

Warner completed his 15th one-day international hundred when an outside edge off Shaheen flew past Asif at slip for his 11th four in 102 balls and he leapt in the air in celebration.
But he was out soon afterwards, caught at deep point by Imam-ul-Haq off Shaheen, having gone past fifty for the third time in four innings at this World Cup.

Batsmen Shaun Marsh, Usman Khawaja and Alex Carey all fell to Amir, who ended the innings with an over to spare when tailender Mitchell Starc holed out. (Agencies)