VB Series, (A/ P/ WI) 2004-05

At Sydney, January 23, 2005 (day/night). Australia won by nine wickets. Australia 6 pts. Toss: Australia.

Australia's bowlers colluded with a greasy pitch to prolong Pakistan's unhappy run. McGrath bowled ten probing overs in a single spell, claimed two wickets with well-directed break-backs and inconvenienced everyone. The other bowlers also achieved disconcerting deviation to roll over Pakistan within 40 overs. Unexpectedly, Lehmann turned the ball more than Mohammad Hafeez did later with his off-spin. Indeed, the whole Pakistan attack seemed toothless, and Clarke tore into it. Hayden could not get comfortable, scratching around for 65 balls before cutting to deep point, but the bonus point was never in question, and Ponting was able to feed Clarke the strike so he could reach a crowd-pleasing hundred on his own ground, in 107 balls.

Man of the Match: M. J. Clarke.

Attendance: 30,942.