Inspiring performances by openers David Warner (107), skipper Aaron Finch (82) and fast bowler Pat Cummins (three for 33), enabled defending champion Australia to register a 41-run win over Pakistan in the ICC 2019 World Cup cricket match played at Taunton on Wednesday.

Australia put into bat by Pakistan got off to a brilliant start when their openers David Warner 107 (111b, 11×4, 1×6) and skipper Aaron Finch 82 (84b, 6×4, 4×6) added 146-runs for the opening wicket and set up a good base for the other Australian batsman to follow.

Sloppy fielding and catching by the Pakistan fielders allowed both the openers to survive and pile up a good opening wicket partnership.

Useful contributions came in from Maxwell (20), Shaun Marsh (23) and Alex Carey (20) and Australia ended up scoring 307 in 49 overs. Left-arm fast bowler Amir impressed with his sustained bowling to take five for 30 for Pakistan.

In reply, Pakistan batsmen batted well but could not carry their innings forward and succumbed to the pressure to end up scoring 266 in 45.4 overs.

Their batsmen batted well in phases, but could not convert the same into a win.

Useful contributions came from opener Iman-ul-Haq (53), Babar Azam (30), Hafeez (46), Safraz (40), Hasan Ali (32) and Wahab Riaz (45).

Fast bowler Pat Cummins impressed for Australia taking three for 33. He was well-supported by Mitchell Starc (two for 43) and Kane Richardson (two for 62). Australia won by 41-runs.

New Zealand heads the points table with 6 points from three games, while Australia is in the second position with 6 points from four games. England is in the third position with 4 points from three games. India is in the fourth place with four points from two games.

Scores

Australia: 307 in 49 overs (David Warner 107, Aaron Finch 82, Maxwell 20, Shaun Marsh 23, Alex Corey 20, Amir 5 for 30, Shaheen Afridi 2 for 70) bt Pakistan: 266 in 45.4 overs (Iman-ul-Haq 53, Babar Azam 30, Hafeez 46, Safraz 40, Wahab Riaz 45, Pat Cummins 3 for 33, Mitchell Starc 2 for 43, Kane Richardson 2 for 62); Player of the Match: David Warner.