Stuart hat-trick as Australians salvage pride

Pakistan 181-9 Australia 182-7 Australia win by 3 wickets

The fast bowler Anthony Stuart took a hat-trick as Australia salvaged some pride with a thrilling three-wicket victory over Pakistan in their World Series limited overs match in Melbourne yesterday. Stuart, playing in only his third one-day match for his country, dismissed Ijaz Ahmed, Mohammad Wasim and Moin Khan in successive balls.

Chasing Pakistan's total of 181 for 9 in 50 overs, left-hander Michael Bevan helped steer Australia to 182 for 7 with three balls to spare, ending a run of five straight defeats in the triangular competition. Bevan scored an unbeaten 79 from 142 balls to ensure that Stuart's figures of 5 for 26 from 10 overs were not wasted.

The New South Wales bowler became only the second Australian to take a hat-trick in a limited overs international.

But the victory came too late for Australia, who have failed to qualify for the final as hosts in their worst performance in one-day cricket at home for 17 years in terms of results. Pakistan and West Indies will face each other in the best-of-three final, starting in Sydney tomorrow.

WORLD SERIES (Melbourne): Pakistan 181-9 (Inzamam-ul-Haq 64, A Stuart 5 for 26). Australia 182-7 (M Bevan 79no). Australia win by 3 wkts.