White and Watson lead whitewash

A century from Cameron White helped Australia claim a five-wicket victory over Pakistan in the opening one-day international at the Gabba. Chasing 275 for victory, White enjoyed fruitful partnerships with Michael Clarke and Michael Hussey to steer the home side from 84 for three to their target with nine balls to spare. White was eventually bowled for 105 by Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, with Clarke adding a half-century in a strong middle-order display. Earlier in the day, Salman Butt posted 72 in Pakistan's innings, while some late big hitting from Shahid Afridi (48) also helped boost their total to 274, although the tourists were pegged back by four wickets for all-rounder Shane Watson. Australia got away to a poor start when opener Shane Watson departed early leaving the home side 16 for one in the fourth over.

Left-arm quick Mohammad Aamer was the bowler, digging one in short and leaving Watson to look on as the ball crashed into the top of his handle and popped to Saeed Ajmal at mid-on. Shaun Marsh and captain Ricky Ponting attempted to lift the run-rate but Pakistan struck again when Marsh drove Mohammad Asif straight to Rana Naved-UL-Hasan for just 15. Ponting was out trying to slash at Shahid Afridi's bouncing leg-spinner and found substitute fielder Khalid Latif at gully. At the halfway mark Australia required 157 runs with seven wickets. By comparison, Pakistan were 123 for three after 25 overs, just five ahead of Australia. Playing a mature and controlled innings, Clarke reached his half-century off 58 balls and White followed soon after notching his 50 off 52 balls at the start of the 35th over

Soon after Clarke top-edged a pull shot from Aamer high to fine-leg but Salman Butt dropped a sitter. A ball after bringing up their 100 partnership and with the total at 186, the Clarke-White combination was broken when Clarke was run out by Rana. Australia needed 75 to win from their last 10 overs and with David Hussey joining White at the crease victory looked a certainty especially after White hit Afridi for three consecutive sixes in the next over. White reached his second ODI century in 85 balls that included four sixes and seven fours. He could not cross his highest score of 105 as he was castled by Rana's deceptive slower ball in the 47th over. Hussey (35 n.o) and Brad Haddin then guided Australia to victory. * PA

Pakistan: Salman Butt c Haddin b Bollinger 72 Kamran Akmal c Clarke b Watson 34 Younis Khan c Marsh b McKay 46 Mohammad Yousuf b Bollinger 2 Umar Akmal c Haddin b McKay 23 Shoaib Malik c Haddin b Watson 28 Shahid Afridi c Hussey b Watson 48 Mohammad Aamer c Haddin b McKay 0 Naved-ul-Hasan not out 8 Saeed Ajmal c Clarke b Watson 2 Mohammad Asif run out (Ponting) 0 Extras (4 lb, 2 nb, 5 w) 11 Total (all out, 49.4 overs) 274 Fall of wickets: 1-62, 2-117, 3-123, 4-156, 5-205, 6-221, 7-227, 8-269, 9-274 Bowling: Bollinger 9.4-0-37-2 (2w) Siddle 8-1-48-0 McKay 9-0-61-3 (1w) Watson 10-0-36-4 Hauritz 90-0-68-0 (1w) Clarke 2-0-8-0 Hussey 2-0-12-0 (1w) Australia: Shane Watson c Saeed Ajmal b Mohammad Aamer 5 Shaun Marsh c Naved-ul-Hasan b Mohammad Asif 15 Ricky Ponting c sub (Khalid Latif) b Shahid Afridi 27 Michael Clarke run out (Naved-ul-Hasan) 58 Cameron White b Naved-ul-Hasan 105 Michael Hussey not out 35 Brad Haddin not out 7 Extras (4 b, 10 lb, 9 w) 23 Total (5 wickets, 48.3 overs) 275 Fall of wickets: 1-16, 2-37, 3-84, 4-186, 5-260 Bowling: Mohammad Asif 10-1-44-1 (1w) Mohammad Aamer 9-0-29-1 (2w) Naved-ul-Hasan 10-0-61-1 (1w) Shahid Afridi 10-0-66-1 (1w) Saeed Ajmal 9.3-0-61-0