Australia seal series victory

Ryan Harris cleans up Shahid Afridi, the third of the seamer's five victims, to all but assure Australia of a series victory

Australia demonstrated their bowling depth and took an unassailable 3-0 series lead at the Adelaide Oval today after beating Pakistan by 40 runs in the third one-day international of five.

The hosts scored 286, thanks principally to 83 from opener Shaun Marsh, 80 from Michael Clarke and Mike Hussey’s 49 from 28 balls, before dismissing the tourists in the 48th over.

Man-of-the-match Ryan Harris, who was brought into the side to replace Peter Siddle, took 5-43 while Clint McKay continued his impressive run in the national side with 3-48.

Pakistan were again outclassed in all departments, but they could at least point to a small improvement after losing game two by 140 runs.

Umar Akmal and Fawad Alam, who struck 59 and 33 respectively, came together at 60 for four and kept their side in the contest.

A blazing 58-run stand between Shahid Afridi, who flayed 40 off 29 balls, and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, who contributed 33 off 28, provided Ricky Ponting's men with some anxious moments in the final 10 overs.

Pakistan were positive early on, but Harris got an early breakthrough by dismissing Kamran Akmal lbw for just one.

The situation worsened when an unlucky Salman Butt, who hit five fours in his bright 34, was also given out lbw. However, television replays suggested McKay’s delivery pitched outside leg stump and was too high.

There was no doubt about Mohammad Yousuf’s dismissal two overs later however. The under-siege captain began his knock like a man on a mission but chopped on a Shane Watson delivery for just 11.

Mike Hussey goes on the offensive en route to 49 from 28 balls in Adelaide

Pakistan were relying heavily on Younus Khan to steady the ship, but the right-hander edged McKay through to Brad Haddin who took a sharp, one-handed catch above his head to leave the tourists 60 for four.

Umar and Alam joined forces in the 14th over and went about reviving the tourists’ hopes of victory.

They ran well between the wickets, milking singles and twos to all parts of the ground, and transferred some of the pressure onto Australia.

But their dangerous partnership came to an end when Akmal was caught behind after trying to guide a Harris delivery down to third man.

Afridi and Rana started swinging as soon as they arrived at the crease and for a while their cavalier attitude paid off. They savaged 36 runs from overs 41 to 43, but could not go on.

Earlier, a steady innings from Shaun Marsh with support from Watson, who made 33, provided Australia with a launchpad before Clarke and Hussey blazed away in the final 10 overs, combining for 80 in just 33 balls.

Mohammad Asif bowled Watson before Rana trapped Ponting in front for nought. Marsh and Clarke rebuilt with an alliance worth 85 when the former was stumped off Saeed Ajmal.

Clarke, who reached 56 without scoring a boundary, eventually hit three fours while Hussey registered five and a six on another disappointing day in the field for the tourists.

Australia's innings was conservative for 40 overs before Cameron White upped the ante with his 28 from 31 balls, matching Clarke’s four-count.

White was caught behind off Rana in the 43rd over, allowing Hussey to get to work.

Umar Gul made a late contribution, as Hussey was caught by Younus in the outfield and Clarke was bowled next ball, in the final over.