†AUSTRALIA v PAKISTAN 1988-89

At Melbourne, January 10 (day/night). Australia won on faster scoring-rate. Toss: Pakistan. Because the rules of one-day cricket favour the side batting second in the event of a prolonged delay during their innings, Pakistan came near to pulling off what would have been a lucky victory. Australia had scored 258 for four in only 43 overs - rain had interrupted their innings too - and Pakistan, in reply, were 2 for one after 2.1 overs when first a storm, then intermittent showers, held up play for nearly two hours. By the time it restarted, at nine o'clock, Pakistan were told that from 16.5 overs they would need to score another 113 to win. This, with nine wickets standing and Australia having to field in slippery conditions, was much easier than the task that had initially faced them. But Australia just prevailed, only Imran attacking the bowling with sufficient discretion. Pakistan needed 11 from the last over, with Imran and Wasim Akram together; but Alderman's line and length were again equal to the occasion. For Australia, now assured of a place in the finals, Marsh made his sixth hundred in one-day internationals, his 125 not out coming off 121 balls and containing just five boundaries.

Man of the Match: G. R. Marsh. Attendance: 48,760.