Usman Khawaja powers Australia to massive victory

Australia 199-1 (Khawaja 82no) beat
Ireland 198 (Anderson 39) by nine wickets
Only One-Day International, Benoni
Scorecard

An unbeaten 82 from Usman Khawaja and a fifty from Steven Smith powered Australia to a nine-wicket victory against Ireland while chasing a target of 199 runs in the lone One-Day International in Benoni.

Earlier in the day, Australia’s bowling efforts saw Ireland being bowled out for 198 runs in 43.5 overs, led by a three-wicket haul from Adam Zampa.

Batting first, Ireland began decently with a 47-run stand in 9.2 overs. The openers Paul Stirling (30) and William Porterfield (24) fell in quick succession but John Anderson (39) and Gary Wilson (14) shared a 49-run stand.

The fall of Anderson in the 24th over was followed by a double strike in the 25th over which left Ireland at 123 for five at the half-way mark.

Ireland never managed to recover as they lost regular wickets and were eventually bowled out for 198 runs in 43.5 overs.

Australia zoomed ahead at the start of the chase as Khawaja (82 not out) and David Warner (48) posted a 73-run stand in 8.4 overs.

Warner raced away to 48 runs from 30 balls, hitting five fours and two sixes before he was caught and bowled by Tim Murtagh (1-21).

However, Smith (59 not out) joined hands with Khawaja, who completed his fifty and scored at over run-a-ball.

While Smith played a patient knock and completed his fifty Khawaja keeping the scoreboard ticking from the other end.

The pair went on to share an unbeaten 126-run stand in 21.3 overs, propelling Australia to a nine-wicket win by chasing the target of 199 runs in in 30.1 overs. Khawaja won the man of the match award.

© Cricket World 2016