..crush Pakistan by 140 runs in second ODI
AUSTRALIA produced arguably its best performance of the summer to record a crushing 140-run victory over Pakistan in the second one-day international at the Sydney cricket Ground (SCG) yesterday.

Having posted an imposing 6-267 on the back of half-centuries from Shane Watson and Cameron White after Pakistan skipper Mohammad Yousuf elected to bowl first in overcast conditions, Doug Bollinger (2-19) and Peter Siddle (1-23) produced fearsome opening spells to leave the tourists’ pursuit in tatters.

Skipper Mohammad Yousuf, who was left to rue his decision to insert the hosts in ideal batting conditions, top scored with a defiant 58 off 94 balls, but it wasn’t enough to prevent an embarrassing defeat.

Australia now leads the five-match series 2-0 ahead of Tuesday’s clash at the Adelaide Oval.

Both openers beat the bat repeatedly from the outset but Bollinger claimed the early spoils removing Salman Butt (two) and Younus Khan (zero) in the fifth over when both men edged to White at second slip.

Things went from bad to worse when Kamran Akmal (16 off 31) was run out by a brilliant piece of fielding from Clint McKay (3-15) off his own bowling.

And when younger brother Umar Akmal was bowled by a brilliant delivery from Siddle without scoring, the tourists’ fate was sealed.

Shahid Afridi gave the Pakistan contingent of the healthy 30,774 crowd some reason to cheer when he despatched Nathan Hauritz(2-45) into the stands, but his aggression soon brought him undone.

Rana Naved showed some resistance blasting 27 off 22 including two sixes and a boundary before he was stumped by Brad Haddin attempting to hit Hauritz out of the stadium.

McKay claimed the prize wicket of Yousuf before finishing the job with the wicket of Saeed Ajmal to finish with career-best figures.

Earlier, Watson (69 off 71) set the tone at the top of the order as he dominated his 100-run opening stand with Shaun Marsh (41 off 60), belting seven boundaries and one six in his entertaining knock.

The in-form opener eventually fell when he was well caught by Shoaib Malik at mid-wicket off the bowling of Afridi (2-35).

The dangerous leg-spinner removed Marsh soon after and momentum continued to shift towards Pakistan when Ricky Ponting (13 off 28) mistimed an attempted drive to Yousuf off tyro Mohammad Aamer (3-53).

But White picked up where he left off at the Gabba on Friday night, striking 55 off 57 deliveries to leave the hosts well placed at the interval. (CA).