Pakistan has their first boundary
By Jon Pierik
The home team has been a tad sloppy in the field, Sean Abbott failing to keep the pressure on when fumbling a ground ball. Abdullah delivers Pakistan their first boundary, this coming from a delightful pull shot through mid-wicket.
Here’s how Starc struck
Meanwhile, up north …
By Tom Decent
Meanwhile, a little north of the MCG, Josh Hazlewood has had a very relaxing day at Cricket Central in Sydney’s west. Hazlewood has been sitting under a Cricket NSW marquee near the boundary completing newspaper crosswords while watching Blues teammates bat on the final day of their Sheffield Shield fixture with Queensland. The match is almost certain to end in a draw. Hazlewood went wicketless (0-57) across 24 overs in Queensland’s first innings of 5-406. He’ll link up with Australia’s ODI squad in coming days before turning his attention to the first Test in Perth on November 22.
Starc strikes early
By Jon Pierik
Starc claims the first wicket of the international summer, the left-armer inducing left-handed debutant Saim Ayub forward, only for the youngster to play on. Babar Azam is now at the crease. Pakistan 1-3.
Top of the innings
By Jon Pierik
Mitchell Starc has taken the new ball, Pakistan opting to open with Abdullah Shafique, who has been ill recently, and Saim Ayub.
We are underway
By Daniel Brettig
Overcast at the MCG with a small crowd filing in – should be more later with an attendance of about 25,000 expected. Cricket Australia has gambled on trying a Melbourne Cup eve timeslot on Monday – which may have worked better for a T20 game starting later. A hint of juice in the surface as is customary in Melbourne this time of year, so very understandable for a fresh Pat Cummins to reach for the new white ball.
From yesteryear …
For those who missed the toss of the coin …
Aust win toss; bowl first
By Jon Pierik
Australia captain Pat Cummins has won the toss and elected to bowl first on what shapes as a sluggish deck. The Australians will look to extract what life they can from the pitch early.
How will Babar go?
A major sub-plot today will be how Pakistan great Babar Azam responds, having been controversially dropped for the final two Tests against England last month.
The former skipper is the No.1 ranked batsman in ODI cricket, and will be keen to make a statement today.
He averages a stunning 67.33 runs against Australia in the 50-over format.
Babar Azam has been recalled for Pakistan. Credit: nnalachlan.harper
Babar revealed on social media that the MCC had asked for the bat he used in the ICC Twenty 20 World Cup final in 2022 against England be displayed at the iconic long room of the stadium. He presented the bat on Friday.
He scored a 28-ball 32 in that losing final.
