BBC SPORT | Special Events | 2001 | NatWest Series | Australia cruise to one-day title

NatWest Triangular Series final, Lord's: Australia v Pakistan

Pakistan: 153 all out (42.3 overs)
Australia: 156-1 (26.3 overs)
Australia win by nine wickets

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Australia have thrashed Pakistan by nine wickets to win the one-day triangular series final at Lord's.

Steve Waugh's side were set a target of 153 after they made a mockery of the Pakistan batting with some superb tight bowling.

Shane Warne grabbed three wickets while Ian Harvey and Brett Lee helped themselves to two apiece.

Top order batsmen Adam Gilchrist and Ricky Ponting guided Australia to victory with Pakistan having bowled just 26.3 overs.

Waqar Younis' side began their innings steadily, but were soon put under the cosh by Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie.

McGrath, who had not found his rhythm in the opening overs, bowled a good line and length to dismiss Salim Elahi (10).

Brett Lee (right)
Lee (right) has been in great form
Saeed Anwar (27) was next to fall when he scooped Ian Harvey's ball high into the air to find Michael Bevan.

Pakistan then lost two quick wickets.

Yousuf Youhana (11) was followed into the pavillion by replacement Younis Khan who failed to score after coming on in the 19th over.

Youhana, had already escaped being run out moments before following an inaccurate throw at the stumps, but Ponting made no mistake with his attempt.

Minutes later, Lee found Younis' edge with Warne taking a sharp catch at first slip.

And the same bowler then took the wicket of dangerman Abdur Razzaq.

Razzaq (24), who was looking to play an extravagant shot given half a chance, hooked Lee's delivery into the hands of Warne to leave his side in serious trouble.

Ricky Ponting (left)
Ponting showed the value of a good throwing arm
Pakistan hot-shot Inzamam-ul-Haq (23) was next to fall when he was bowled leg before by Warne.

Azhar Mahmood (1) then fell to the spin-maestro, and was shortly followed by Rashif Latif.

Big-hitter Wasim Akram lost his wicket shortly after when he was clean bowled by Gillespie.

Captain Waqar tried to stand firm, but he fell for a duck as a result of a good delivery from Harvey.

Australia came out after the interval with the relatively easy task of reaching 153, and they did not disappoint.

Gilchrist and Mark Waugh soon put the bowlers to the sword, picking off runs with ease to reach their 50-partnership.

Pakistan only managed to take one-wicket, running out Mark Waugh (36), but by then it was too little too late.

Ricky Ponting approached the crease and soon rattled up a another 50-partnership with Gilchrist as Australia cruised to their target.

Teams:

Australia - Adam Gilchrist, Mark Waugh, Ricky Ponting, Michael Bevan, Steve Waugh (captain), Damien Martyn, Ian Harvey, Shane Warne, Brett Lee, Jason Gillespie, Glenn McGrath.

Pakistan - Saeed Anwar, Salim Elahi, Abdur Razzaq, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Yousuf Youhana, Younis Khan, Azhar Mahmood, Rashid Latif, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Saqlain Mushtaq.

Umpires: DR Shepherd & P Willey
Third umpire: R Palmer
Match referee: BN Hastings (NZ)


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