HOBART - Michael Clarke and Australia's fringe cricketers showed injury presents more opportunity than headache for the world champions in yesterday's tri-series win over Pakistan here at Bellerive Oval.
Set a revised target of 253 in 45 overs after a 40-minute rain delay, Australia cruised home with 12 balls to
spare to win by four wickets after Clarke, Simon Katich and Brad Haddin all grabbed hold of rare opportunities in the spotlight.
Man-of-the-match Clarke smashed 97 from 96 balls and put on a perfectly timed opening stand of 107 with Katich (38), as the pair rallied in the absence of Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist, who were rested and injured respectively.
Haddin benefited from Gilchrist's enforced lay-off through a knee injury by coolly stroking 30 from 30 balls to ensure there was no more histrionics after Australia fell to five for 186 with 67 needed off the last 12 overs.
Darren Lehmann finished 49 not out as Australia won their second match from two starts.
The West Indies and Pakistan play in Adelaide on Wednesday.
Pakistan's Shahid Afridi also sparkled by clobbering an unbeaten 56 from 26 balls in his side's total of 272 for seven off 50 overs.
But significantly, the tourists were denied his explosive powers until the final six overs of the innings on a dream wicket and a stiff breeze aiding batsmen chasing the short boundary.
Clarke now averages 89 as a one-day opener, but conceded the role could end as soon as Friday, when Hayden and Gilchrist are expected to play the Windies in Brisbane.
"Fortunately for Australian cricket, Matthew Hayden is coming back in Brisbane and Gilly's hopefully going to be fit, so I guess that means I'll be back to No.7," he said.
Australian captain Ricky Ponting could not foresee Clarke opening with both Hayden and Gilchrist playing, but was delighted the youngster followed his 66 in Melbourne on Friday with another quality knock.
"It's great to know that we have a lot of flexibility within our side," Ponting said.
"We've had Damien Martyn (open) in the past, Darren Lehmann has done it a couple of times and Michael's done it ... four times and hasn't missed out yet, I don't think.
"You need to have flexibility right down your list in one-day cricket, whether that be with the bat or the ball or even in the field and we've certainly got that at the moment."
Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq was happy with his side's total, but said his bowlers let Clarke and Katich off the hook with an early flurry of 12 wides and no-balls.
"They (took) advantage, and in the first 15 overs they made almost 100 runs and that's the difference," he said.
Inzamam, who made a run-a-ball 68, is nearing full fitness after a tour hampered by illness and a lower back problem, but knows exactly what he needs to feel 100 per cent.
"I'm really good if we win the game and win some matches," he said.
- AAP
HOBART - Michael Clarke and Australia's fringe cricketers showed injury presents more opportunity than headache for the world champions in yesterday's tri-series win over Pakistan here at Bellerive Oval.
Set a revised target of 253 in 45 overs after a 40-minute rain delay, Australia cruised home with 12 balls to
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