Australia crush Pakistan by nine-wickets in NatWest final

London, June 23: World champions Australia beat Pakistan for the second time in two years in a Lord's final, taking the triangular series trophy with a commanding nine-wicket victory here on Saturday.

Chasing a lowly 153 to win Australia made 156 for one, victory achieved with 23.3 overs to spare. It was reminiscent of their 1999 effort here when Australia beat Pakistan by eight wickets to win the World Cup final.

Man-of-the-match, Australia wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist was 76 not out from 93 balls including two sixes and eight fours, Ricky Ponting 35 not out from 23 balls with one six and five fours.

But it was the Australian attack who set up this victory, leg-spinner Shane Warne taking three for 56 and the pace bowlers keeping it tight.

Gilchrist was in superb form, the left-hander straight driving in textbook fashion and twice pulling Abdur Razzaq for two huge sixes when the medium-pacer dropped short.

His third successive tournament fifty came from 77 balls, including two sixes and four fours.

Ponting too pulled Razzaq for six and used his feet superbly to straight drive off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq for four.

At least Pakistan managed to improve, just, on their 132 all out of 1999.

But with 13 final survivors on the field, seven Australians and six Pakistanis, the coincidence would have struck them more than anyone.

Gilchrist and Mark Waugh got Australia off to an excellent start.

But Pakistan should have had the right-hander out for 11 when first slip Saeed Anwar dropped a routine chance off Wasim Akram. Australia were 25 for nought at that stage and the openers added another 53 runs.

Waugh, on 34 and untroubled, then gave his wicket away going for a needless third run. Yousuf Youhana's throw from the square leg boundary just got to wicketkeeper Rashid Latif in time. Waugh had faced 43 balls including four fours, Australia well set at 78 for one in the 19th over.

Earlier when Pakistan captain Waqar Younis was lbw to Ian Harvey for nought, his side were all out with seven and a half overs remaining. Saqlain was nought not out.

Pakistan found it hard work against Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie. The first boundary did not come until the sixth over when Salim Elahi cover-drove Gillespie.

But Salim, who made 79 in the 36-run win against Australia at Trent Bridge on Tuesday, went for 10 edging a steeply bouncing McGrath delivery to wicketkeeper Gilchrist. Pakistan were 28 for one in the seventh over.

Harvey knows all about bowling in Lord's finals after his trophy winning exploits with Gloucestershire and he replaced McGrath (6-1-17-1).

The canny medium-pacer struck when top-scorer Saeed on 27 played too soon at a slower ball and lobbed a catch to Michael Bevan at mid-off. He had faced 40 balls including two fours.

It was the final ball of the 15 over field restriction period and Pakistan were 47 for two.

This was the start of a collapse that saw Pakistan lose three wickets for 13 runs in 29 balls.

Razzaq took the attack to the bowlers with a couple of powerful boundaries against Warne and a magnificent straight driven four against Lee.

However, next ball he tried to pull, but cramped for room, gave Warne a catch at short midwicket.

Razzaq's 24 had come from 33 balls including four fours, Pakistan in trouble at 92 for five in the 27th over and it got worse when star batsman Inzamam-Ul-Haq went next.

Against Warne, Inzamam got a decent stride in but the ball kept low and he was lbw for 23, Pakistan 102 for six in the 28th over.

Inzamam stood aghast with legs splayed out before eventually trudging off with less speed than an undertaker walking in front of a hearse.

There was an uncanny sense of deja vu.

In 1999 Pakistan were 104 for six and when Azhar Mahmood was bowled for a single by Warne their 110 for seven was strikingly similar to the 113 for seven of two years ago.

A 41 stand between Rashid and Wasim Akram took Pakistan past 150 but the last three wickets added a lone single.

It was a sad way for 35-year-old all rounder Wasim to bow out from what he said would be his last Lord's appearance.

At least there were no major crowd problems. Some Pakistan supporters had staged pitch invasions and set off dangerous firecrackers in three previous matches.

Although there was a mad dash at the close, the stewards managed to shepherd the players and officials to safety.

But Australia batsman Michael Bevan was hit in the face by a beer can thrown whilst standing on the balcony of the pavillon waiting for the presentation ceremony.

The can appeared to have been thrown from the massed ranks of spectators standing beneath the pavillon. Authorities here then held the presentation ceremony indoors.