Smith ruled out of upcoming tour

Wicketkeeper Matthew Wade has been named to replace Steve Smith as captain of the Australia cricket team for the three-match Chappell-Hadlee series in New Zealand, becoming Australia’s 24th one-day global captain.

Wade held his first press conference as national skipper in Auckland today, in the bowels of the venue more associated with rugby union than cricket but which has become notorious for the vocal welcomes handed out to visiting sides – particularly Australians. For Pakistan, Shoaib Malik retired hurt after scoring 10, while Umar Akmal made a brisk 46 down the order. Head’s century came from a more sedate 121 deliveries. He eventually fell swatting a short ball from Junaid Khan to Babr at point.

Babar began to pick up the pace and reached 100 from 107 balls.

After their 4-1 series loss against Australia, Pakistan continued to remain in danger of failing to directly qualify for the 2019 World Cup.

The first-choice Australian pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins are crossing the Tasman.

“It’s a bit of a shock”, he said.

Dual Allan Border Medallist Warner reinforced his stature as Australia’s premier force with irresistible strokeplay including 19 rousing boundaries and five strikes into the sun-soaked stands in the best score by an Australian in Adelaide. Kumar Sangakkara scored six hundreds in 23 innings in 2014-15.

Wade’s batting form was skinny since his return to the test team previous year, but his century against Pakistan at Brisbane – his first in his 87 ODIs – in the just-completed series gave him a decent boost. “They get plenty of experience at taking it, don’t worry about that”. In the fifth ODI against Pakistan in Adelaide, the aggressive left-hander achieved his highest individual score of 179. Warner went past Brian Lara’s 156 against Pakistan in 2005. This is the third time Warner has been dismissed in the 170s.

Need someone to bowl off breaks and pick up wickets?

Australia would nonetheless post an imposing total and Pakistan would have to play extremely well to get past their hosts on Australia day. Usman Khawaja and Aaron Finch have been tried there. “It’s nice and satisfying to get runs, but the head moves quickly to New Zealand and try and back up the good form and keep the ball rolling”.

6 Number of consecutive series wins for Australia against Pakistan in a bilateral series.

This was only the second time Head opened for Australia in the 20 ODIs that he has played.