Published: Feb 11, 2015, 12:13 PM (IST)
Edited: Feb 11, 2015, 12:40 PM (IST)
Australia were boosted by half-centuries from Michael Clarke, Aaron Finch and Steven Smith as they scored 304 for eight from the allotted 50 overs in their ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 warm-up match against United Arab Emirates (UAE) at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Wednesday. LIVE BLOG: Australia vs United Arab Emirates ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 warm-up match
Michael Clarke, who was declared fit earlier to play in this match opened the innings with Aaron Finch and looked at ease as far as his fitness was concerned. Clarke indeed started off on a rusty note, collecting couple of singles early on but once he got his eye in, the skipper took charge of the situation and started playing aggressive strokes. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: POINTS TABLE
Clarke and Finch added 123 runs for the first wicket and both the batsmen made most of the opportunity. David Warner took rest as he’s been among the run-scorers, and it was a wise decision from Australia’s perspective to send Clarke to open the innings with Finch. Both Clarke and Finch scored runs at a brisk rate and their half-centuries would have given confidence ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 opening game. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: SCHEDULE & MATCH DETAILS
It was in the 20th over when Nasir Aziz gave the UAE side a reason to smile, getting Finch caught by Shaiman Anwar for 61. Finch scored 61 runs off 68 balls, and hit six boundaries and two sixes. Finch’s dismissal brought Shane Watson to the crease, but Australia soon lost their second wicket in form of Clarke, who fell to the same bowler and caught by the same fielder in the 24th over.
Clarke and Australia would have certainly desired a big score here, but the fact that he batted close to 25 overs proves that he is fit for the games to come, and there could be a realistic chance of him playing in the opening match versus England. Clarke faced 61 balls and struck eight fours to score 64 runs.
Shane Watson, who has not been among the run-scorers failed to convert a start into a big score as he fell after scoring 34 runs off 40 balls. In fact, George Bailey, who too has not scored enough runs in the recent past fell after scoring 46. Australia’s in-form batsman Steven Smith again made good use of the opportunity with a 51-ball 59, during which he struck four boundaries and a six.
For Afghanistan, Krishna Chandran was the pick among the bowlers as he grabbed three wickets for 50 runs from his nine overs. Nasir Aziz also bagged three wickets from his 10 overs.
Brief scores:
Australia 304 for 8 in 50 overs (Michael Clarke 64, Aaron Finch 61, Steven Smith 59; Krishna Chandran 3 for 50, Nasir Aziz 3 for 56) vs United Arab Emirates.
