Clarke confident openers will fire against Pakistan in second ODI

Sydney: Australian captain Michael Clarke has backed openers Matthew Wade and David Warner to fire in the second one-day international against Pakistan on Friday in United Arab Emirates after both of them failed in the first match.

Clarke said both Wade and Warner are aware that their shot selection on slow UAE pitches weren’t the best, and added both would certainly rectify it on Friday. Australia``s quicks bowled Pakistan for 198 in game one in Sharjah on Tuesday night, with Clarke and George Bailey scoring half-centuries in a reply of 6-199 with 10 balls to spare. Spinner Mohammad Hafeez bowled Warner for five, attempting a wild slog, and Wade also went for a slog-sweep and skied a catch off the bowling of spinner Shahid Afridi for 10. Clarke said they``re still adjusting to the slow pace of the pitches in the United Arab Emirates. “They both have the licence to play their way, whatever that entails. They were both pretty disappointed with the way they got out,” “They both like to play across the line and to sweep. But in those conditions they both said it was quite hard because there wasn``t much spin, the ball was skidding on,” he added. “So they thought they could have had better shot selection. But again they``ll learn from that. They are two match-winners. I wouldn``t be surprised if at least one of them goes on and makes a big score in this second game,” ANI