Taunton, Jun 12 (UNI) David Warner brilliant 107 off 111 and skipper Aaron Finch 82 off 84 opening stand of 146 runs helped Australia score a challenging 307 in 49 overs against Pakistan in the ICC Cricket World Cup here on Wednesday.
Earlier, Pakistan won the toss and opted to field put in Australia to bat.
Australian openers skipper Aaron Finch and David Warner gave a blistering start adding 146 run stand for their first wicket smashing the bowlers towards the boundaries.
Mohammad Amir gave a breakthrough after scalping wicket of skipper Finch at 146/1 in the first ball of the 23rd over after being caught off by Mohammad Hafeez.
Finch 82 came in 84 balls (6 fours 4 sixes).
With Finch's exit Steven Smith came in and along with Warner kept the flow of runs to continue putting up 43 runs for their second wicket stand.
Australia's second wicket fell when Steven Smith was caught by Asif Ali in Mohammad Hafeezs spell in the 29th over when score read 189/2. Smith scored 10 off 13 (1 four).
After Smith departure Maxwell took charge and with Warner added 34 runs for third wicket. But Maxwell stay was short and after scoring quick 20 off 10 ( 2 fours and a six), throwed his wicket to Shaheen Shah Afridi in the 34th over at 223/3.
Maxwell gone then came Marsh and along with Warner added 19 runs for fourth wicket stand.
In the 36th over Warner completed his century after hitting Shah Afridi for four his first since ban and bringing his 15th ODI century thus equalling Shikhar Dhawan's record and in all time record now stands jointly third in the line-up.
However, in the 37th over Warner was dropped in Wahab Riaz spell at third man by Asif Ali. But soon was sent back in the 38th over after being caught at deep point by Imam-ul-Haq in Shaheen Shah Afridi's spell at 242/4.
Warner put brilliant 107 off 111 balls (11 fours 1 six). After Warner going out Marsh and Khawaja piled up 35 runs for fifth wicket.
With Khawaja going out in 43rd over in Mohammad Amir's spell at 18 off 16 with 3 fours. After Khawaj that there was small partnership and wickets kept falling at regular intervals.
Australia lost its last wicket in form of Starc 307/10 caught at long on by Shoaib Malik in Mohammad Amir spell with one over to spare.
Mohammad Amir 5/30, Shaheen Shah Afridi 2/70, Hasan Ali 1/67, Wahab Riaz 1/44 and Mahammad Hafeez 1/60 were the wicket takers for Pakistan.
UNI XC NC1852