Cricket: "Allrounder Captain Clarke helps Australia take Series Lead"

Michael Clarke made a classy 66 and later took 3 for 15 and made sure that Australia take a 2-1 lead in the third match against Pakistan at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi. It was a low scoring match with both the sides losing their wickets to spinners, such was the domination of the spinners in this match.

Australia won the toss and chose to bat first, they started cautiously well untill hopes was runout of a direct hit from younis khan. Watson followed him soon. Haddin was foxed by shoaib Malik spin and he was soon accompanied by symmonds who coudnt read shahid afridis spin. It was left to new star from australian side "Ferguson" and clarke to recover the damage and they infact did it brilliantly. They complemented each other and took singles and hit loose deliveries to their deserved boundaries. Once Clarke and ferguson were gone runs were hard to come by and Australia could manage below par 198. But it was enough for their bowlers to defend the target.

Pakistan started their chase quite confidently and brilliantly. At one stage they were cruising at 95 with out any loss in 22 overs. But once spin was introduced Pakistan too tumbled and kept loosing wickets at regular intervals and with the exception of Shoaib Malik all the batsmen failed to deliver. They surrendered with 171 on the board.

Man of the Match was awarded to Michael Clarke for his 66 runs and for his bowling figures of 3 for 15.

Scores: Australia 198 for 7 (Clarke 66, Ferguson 41, Gul 3-38, Afridi 2-31) beat Pakistan 171 (Butt 48, Shehzad 40, Clarke 3-15, Hauritz 2-25 ) by 27 runs