Australia win toss and elect to bowl in tri-series match by AFP

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Ground:	Sydney Cricket Ground
Scorecard:	Australia v Pakistan
Player:	RT Ponting, Iftikhar Anjum

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DateLine: 23rd January 2005

 

Australian captain Ricky Ponting won the rain-delayed toss and elected to bowl in the tri-series limited overs cricket match against Pakistan at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

 

The start of play in Sunday's day-night match was delayed for 45 minutes after heavy rain around Sydney.

 

More downpours were forecast for the evening but there were no plans to reduce the scheduled 50-overs-a-side.

 

For Pakistan, Iftikhar Anjum comes into the team while Shoaib Akhtar has been called home for intensive treatment on a troublesome hamstring injury.

 

For Australia, wicketkeeper and opening batsman Adam Gilchrist was being rested and his place was taken by Australia A captain Brad Haddin. Pace bowler Glenn McGrath returned to the team while Jason Gillespie was rested.

 

Spinner Brad Hogg and batsmen Simon Katich both missed out on selection for Australia.

 

The Australians have won two of their three matches so far in the series but were fortunate to share the points in their third match against the West Indies, who had them on the ropes in Brisbane on Friday, when rain washed out the match.

 

Australia: Ricky Ponting (c), Matthew Hayden, Michael Clarke, Damien Martyn, Andy Symonds, Darren Lehmann, Brad Haddin, Shane Watson, Brett Lee, Glenn McGrath, Michael Kasprowicz.

 

Pakistan: Inzamam-ul-Haq (c), Salman Butt, Kamran Akmal, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Yousuf Youhana, Abdul Razzaq, Shahid Afridi, Azhar Mahmood, Iftikhar Anjum, Naved-ul-Hasan.

(Article: Copyright © 2005 AFP)