AUSTRALIA v PAKISTAN

At Melbourne, February 23 (day/night). Australia won by seven wickets. Toss: Australia. Following early-morning rain - and the failure of the groundstaff to cover the pitch overnight - the umpires allowed play to start on time only after a number of inspections. In such conditions the toss was crucial, and Pakistan, put in, were reduced to 50 for five by the Australian fast bowlers. They went six overs without scoring, from the twelfth to the seventeenth, as Rackemann embarked on a spell of four consecutive maiden overs. However, Wasim Akram overcame the difficult conditions and a groin injury to make the match something of a contest, hitting three sixes and six fours in 86 from 76 balls before he was ninth out. To the delight of the Melbourne crowd, Jones hit an unbeaten 83 from 135 balls, and in an 87-minute partnership with Border (61 balls) he added 109 to win the match with some ease.

Attendance: 55,205.