Hopes leads the way for Australia A
A superb century by James Hopes led Australia A to a comfortable 318 for 5 on the first day of their second four-day match against Pakistan A
Cricinfo staff
18-Sep-2005
Australia A 318 for 5 (Hopes 146, Hodge 68) v Pakistan A
Scorecard
Scorecard
Rain washed out day two after a superb century by James Hopes led Australia A to a comfortable 318 for 5 on the first day against Pakistan A in Rawalpindi. Opening the batting, Hopes hammered 146 to ensure that the Australians wouldn't collapse the way they did in the first match, when they were bowled out for 196 and 130 en route to a seven-wicket defeat.
Hopes was dominant from the start - Mike Hussey, his opening partner, contributed only 15 in a first-wicket stand of 84, while Marcus North's share was 18 in the second-wicket partnership of 65. The only other batsman who passed 25 was Brad Hodge, who hammered 68 and overshadowed Hopes in a 94-run stand for the third wicket.
For Pakistan A, Mohammad Asif, their 22-year-old right-arm fast bowler, took two wickets, including that of Hopes, while Najaf Shah and Mansoor Amjad managed a wicket each.