Clarke hit the winning runs to complete his century

Michael Clarke hit an unbeaten century as Australia secured a place in the VB Series finals with a nine-wicket win over Pakistan in Sydney.

Pakistan lost two wickets in the first four overs on the way to being bowled out for 163, left-armer Darren Lehmann taking three wickets.

And despite a rain break, it took the hosts just 37 overs to overhaul.

Clarke hit a boundary to complete the win, finishing 103 not out from 107 balls with 14 fours.

Matthew Hayden, who made 27, was the sole Australian batsman dismissed.

Clarke had a let-off on 85 when Shoaib Malik appeared to have taken a clean catch at cover but the third umpire who gave Clarke the benefit of the doubt.

He got another lucky escape on 97 when Mohammad Hafeez dropped a straight-forward catch at long-on.

The start of play was delayed by around an hour but the match stayed at 50 overs a side.

And on a damp wicket Glenn McGrath impressed from the off, trapping Salman Butt lbw in his second over figures of 2-18 from 10 overs.

The tourists only recovered from early woe at 44-4 thanks to a half-century from Inzamam-ul-Haq and a defiant 48 by Shahid Afridi.

McGrath impressed with 2-18 on a damp wicket

Afridi's robust innings contained three fours and as many sixes before he was stumped in the 40th over.

Pakistan brought in Rao Iftikhar Anjum to replace Shoaib Akhtar, who has returned home with a hamstring injury.

The tourists went into the game after four days of problems both on and off the field affecting the squad.

As well as the injury to Shoaib, off-spinner Mohammad Hafeez's bowling action was reported following their win over West Indies.

However, Hafeez will be allowed to bowl even though he is must begin work to remodel his action within the next six weeks.

Most damaging of all was a rape allegation against an unnamed player which coach Bob Woolmer says has "stunned" the squad.

Australia: R Ponting (capt), M Hayden, D Martyn, A Symonds, D Lehmann, M Clarke, B Haddin, S Watson, B Lee, G McGrath, M Kasprowicz