#CWC15: Relief for Michael Clarke as Australia edge past Pakistan into semis

Joy Chakravarty 19:04 20/03/2015
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  • Michael Clarke fell to Wahab Riaz's electric spell but Australia rallied against Pakistan.

    ADELAIDE, Australia — Michael Clarke appeared a relieved man after his side squeezed through to the semi-finals despite a spirited fightback from Pakistan.

    Pakistan managed to make a match out of it even after a posting a low score of 213 all out, mainly due to Wahab Riaz’s sensational spell of fast bowling.

    Former England star Kevin Pietersen, commentating on Australian Broadcasting Corporation, compared Riaz’s first six over to “almost as good as any spell by (Mitch) Johnson during the Ashes” and Clarke seemed to agree.

    “That’s as good as I have faced in One Day cricket for a long time,” said the Aussie captain.

    “There’s no doubt about it. Probably gave us a good look at what it would have been like to face Mitchell Johnson throughout the Ashes.

    “Left-arm is always extra tough for a right-handed batsman because the angle of the ball is at your body the whole time. He didn’t bowl too many bouncers that weren’t on the money.

    “Obviously credit to Watto (Shane Watson), the way he hung in there. Obviously he had a bit of luck getting dropped at fine leg, but then the way he was able to get through that period and be there at the end shows obviously his experience and he deserves a lot of credit for that.”

    Clarke lost the toss and was forced to bowl first on a wicket that looked good for batting, but led by a four-wicket effort from Josh Hazlewood and three from Mitch Starc, Australia were able to restrict Pakistan to a relatively low score.

    When asked if the wicket was helpful for the seamers, Clarke added: I think the Australian bowlers deserve a lot of credit. They all did a really good job for us, so I don’t want to take credit away from them.

    “I thought the wicket was really good. I said at the start of the game that fast bowling was definitely going to play a part. Had Pakistan taken that catch of Watson at fine leg, then who knows, 215 might have been enough.

    “There’s always that pressure in finals. Whatever you have to chase, runs on the board make a big difference, and fortunately we were able to make those runs tonight.”

    Clarke also had some special words of appreciation for the two retiring Pakistan stars – captain Misbah-ul Haq and Shahid Afridi.

    I think they’ve both been fantastic,” he said. “Obviously, two experienced players, great ambassadors of the game.

    “I think Misbah has obviously led Pakistan extremely well, and they’ve been really successful under his leadership. And what can you say about ‘Boom Boom’ Afridi? He’s one of a kind, that’s for sure. He’s an entertainer.

    “I’ve loved playing against both of them. We have certainly had some tough challenges. I think Australia in general always enjoys the tough contests against Pakistan, and I think tonight you’ve seen another great contest.

    “Fortunately, we were able to get over the line tonight, but credit to Misbah and his team and how they played tonight, how they fought. We had to fight for every run to chase that 215, and I wish them both well in the future.”

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