E-Paper
Clarke blazes ton as Aus rout Pak
Clarke steered Australia to the VB Series finals as his team cruised to a nine-wicket win over Pakistan at the SCG.
Michael Clarke steered Australia to the finals of the tri-series cricket competition with an unbeaten 103 as his team cruised to a nine-wicket win over Pakistan on Sunday.
Pakistan, sent in to bat after rain had delayed the start, suffered overcast and damp conditions on a wicket offering plenty to spinners and seamers alike.
They were bowled out in the 40th over -- 10 short of their full allocation -- for just 163, a score which never seemed likely to trouble the world champions.
In reply Australia reached 167 for one off 36.2 overs.
Clarke, 23, who has now filled in as an opener in three of Australia's four tri-series matches, has made scores of 66, 97 and 103 not out -- with Sunday's century coming off 107 balls with 14 fours and a six.
Playing on his home wicket, Clarke kept the big crowd enthralled as he survived first a strong shout for lbw and then what looked like a catch to Shoaib Malik.
As Australia neared victory captain Ricky Ponting farmed out the strike to Clarke to help the younger player reach his ton.
Clarke also survived a dropped catch while on 97, smashing a ball in the air through extra cover to Mohammad Hafeez who spilt a straightforward catch.
"I was praying it didn't carry," Clarke said.
"I had said to Ricky I have to hit a six and he told me I only needed a four, so what I was thinking I don't know."
