David Warner said wife Candice had been his "rock" and the driving force behind his return to Australia duty after the opener scored his first international century since a ball-tampering ban during a World Cup win over Pakistan.

The opener made 107, his first hundred in Australia colours since an Ashes century against England during the 2017 Boxing Day Test at Melbourne, as the World Cup champions won by 41 runs at Taunton on Wednesday.

Both Warner and former captain Steve Smith were given 12-month bans by Cricket Australia following their roles in a ball-tampering scandal in South Africa.

"I was always coming back to international cricket if selected," Warner told reporters after stumps in his first major press conference since his suspension expired.

"The thing that kept me going was my wife and kids.

"My wife is just, she's just my rock. She's unbelievable. She's determined, disciplined, selfless," the 32-year-old left-hander added. 

"She's a strong woman. And she got me out of bed a lot in those sort of first sort of 12 weeks, and got me back running and training hard as I could... She really nailed that into me."

Candice Warner, who is pregnant with the couple's third child, is now in England.

Australia, whose next match is against Sri Lanka at the Oval on Saturday, now have an official period of 'family time' starting Thursday when players can see their wives and families.

"We're fortunate enough to have our families away with us which is great and obviously we're going to be here for a while in the UK," said Warner, set for a long stay given Australia remain in England for an Ashes series after the World Cup.

While Smith and Cameron Bancroft, who received a nine-month ban for applying sandpaper to the ball during a Test at Cape Town, gave interviews during their suspensions, Warner maintained his silence following an emotional press conference at Sydney Airport after he was sent home from the tour.

"I didn't need to say anything," explained Warner, reported to be the instigator of the ball-tampering incident.

"What was said was said back in those press conferences. And now it's about looking forward."

'Awesome'

Warner's century was also his third fifty in four innings this World Cup after scores of 89 not out against Afghanistan and an uncharacteristically slow 56 off 84 balls in a defeat by India last time out.

"Personally, it's a great thing," said Warner of his hundred. "It was a long time coming. Against Afghanistan I felt like I had no rhythm. 

"And still last game they (India) bowled really straight to me. But to come out here, play the way I know I can play was awesome," explained Warner, who faced just 111 balls at Taunton.

Warner and Australia captain Aaron Finch (82) shared an opening stand of 146 -- the highest partnership for any wicket of this World Cup so far.

But they had to see off a testing opening spell from Pakistan left-arm quick Mohammad Amir, who finished with career-best figures of 5-30.

"He's a world-class bowler," said Warner. "When he's swinging it, it's very difficult to try to get on top of him. I tried my best to see him off but still try and rotate the strike."

Pakistan fans in Taunton largely heeded a pre-match plea from captain Sarfaraz Ahmed not to boo Smith and Warner -- indeed many of them cheered and clapped Warner after he was out.

This was in marked contrast to the crowd taunts that had come Warner's way in previous World Cup games, with further jeers expected during the Ashes. 

"The boos, we don't really hear that when we're out there... It's water off a duck's back," Warner insisted. "I've heard it my whole career. 

"Actually it eggs us on a lot and makes us knuckle down and try to score more runs if anything."

Feature image courtesy: AFP Photo/ Peter Parks

David Warner scored his first international century since completing a ball-tampering ban as Australia returned to winning ways at the 2019 ICC World Cup with a 41-run victory over Pakistan at Taunton on Wednesday.

Warner made 107 and, with Australia captain Aaron Finch (82), got the defending champions off to a flying start with an opening stand of 146 -- the highest partnership for any wicket at this World Cup to date.

Mohammad Amir dragged Pakistan back into the game with career-best figures of five for 30 in 10 overs but Australia still managed to post a challenging score of 307, which ultimately proved beyond their opponents.

"It means a lot to a batter to get a century," said man-of-the-match Warner. "It was a great effort from Pakistan in the end but our bowlers bowled excellent. They probably got closer than we expected."

Pakistan, after a middle-order collapse that saw them lose three wickets for 11 runs in 15 balls, were all but beaten at 200 for seven in the 34th over.

But captain Sarfaraz Ahmed (40) and the big-hitting Wahab Riaz (45) gave them renewed hope with a stand of 64.

Australia, who lost to India on Sunday, were again looking to Mitchell Starc to get them out of a tight spot, as had done in an earlier win over the West Indies and the fast bowler duly delivered with 2-43.

He had Wahab caught behind got off a thin edge, although it needed an Australia review of an original not out decision to leave Pakistan 264-8

Two balls later, Amir played on for a duck before Glenn Maxwell ended the match with a brilliant direct hit run out of Sarfaraz.

Pakistan's chase started badly when Fakhar Zaman fell for a duck uppercutting Cummins to Kane Richardson at third man.

Babar Azam was in superb touch, with 28 of his 30 runs coming in fours, before he mishooked Nathan Coulter-Nile to deep backward square leg.

Opener Imam-ul-Haq was upping the tempo in his 53 when he gloved Pat Cummins (3-33) down the legside to wicket-keeper Alex Carey.

Finch, an occasional slow bowler, grabbed a real bonus wicket when Mohammad Hafeez (46) hit a rank full toss straight to Starc at deep square leg.

And when Shoaib Malik was brilliantly caught for nought by a diving Carey after inside edging Cummins, Pakistan were in dire straits at 147-5.

Both Warner and Steve Smith, also returning from a year-long ban for ball-tampering, had been jeered by fans in previous games but Pakistan fans largely heeded an appeal from Sarfaraz not to boo the pair, preferring to roar chants of "Amir!, Amir!".

Warner completed his 15th one-day international hundred when an edge off Shaheen Shah Afridi flew past slip for four.

An elated Warner leapt in the air in celebration but his 111-ball innings ended soon afterwards when he was caught at point off Shaheen, having gone past fifty for the third time in four innings at this World Cup.

"I'm very disappointed," said Sarfaraz. "We lost three wickets in 15 balls and that's why we lost.

"We conceded too many runs in the first 20 overs apart from Mohammad Amir. We came back and restricted them well but it was a 270-280 pitch.

"We made some runs and got starts but we've got to convert them and go long. If you want to win matches your top four must score runs."

Australia have three wins in four matches while Pakistan are struggling, with just one victory in their four games so far.

Feature image courtesy: AFP Photo/ Saeed Khan

Pakistan's Mohammad Amir took a one-day international best five for 30 on Wednesday as David Warner made his first international century since completing a ball-tampering ban in Australia's total of 307.

Australia looked set for a huge total in Taunton while Warner and captain Aaron Finch (82) were sharing a first-wicket stand of 146 �?the highest partnership for any wicket at this World Cup to date.

But left-arm quick Amir dragged Pakistan back into the game, returning figures that surpassed his previous best of 4-28 and are the best in the tournament so far.

"I think I left a few (runs) out there," admitted Warner during the break between innings. "The second spell from Mohammad Amir was fantastic.

"We have got to come out and bowl Test match line and length and be very disciplined."

Both Warner and Steve Smith, also returning from a year-long ban for ball-tampering, had been jeered by fans in previous games but Pakistan fans largely heeded an appeal from captain Sarfaraz Ahmed not to boo the pair, preferring to roar chants of "Amir!, Amir!".

Amir was on target right from the start after Sarfaraz won the toss on an overcast morning at southwest county Somerset's headquarters.

He started with a probing maiden -- one of two in an initial four-over spell that cost a mere 11 runs.

Finch should have been out for 26 when he edged Wahab Riaz, only for first slip Asif Ali to floor a head-high catch

He was dropped again on 44 when wicketkeeper Sarfaraz could not hold a tough chance following an edged cut off Mohammad Hafeez's second ball.

Finch cashed in, hitting off-spinner Hafeez for two successive fours as he completed a 63-ball fifty.

The skipper then hoisted Hafeez for two legside sixes in as many balls but he gave his wicket away when he miscued a big shot immediately upon Amir's return, with Hafeez taking a fine catch running back from cover.

Smith (10) holed out off Hafeez before Glenn Maxwell (20), promoted up the order to number four, was clean bowled going for a booming drive off Shaheen to leave Australia 223 for three.

Warner completed his 15th one-day international hundred when an outside edge off Shaheen flew past Asif at slip for his 11th four in 102 balls and he leapt in the air in celebration.

But he was out soon afterwards, caught at deep point by Imam-ul-Haq off Shaheen, having gone past fifty for the third time in four innings at this World Cup.

Batsmen Shaun Marsh, Usman Khawaja and Alex Carey all fell to Amir, who ended the innings with an over to spare when tailender Mitchell Starc holed out.

In reply, Pakistan slipped to 56 for two in the 11th over. Fakhar Zaman fell for a duck when he cut Pat Cummins straight to Kane Richardson at third man.

Babar Azam was in superb touch, with 28 of his 30 runs coming in fours, before he failed to get over the top of a Nathan Coulter-Nile bouncer and was also caught by Richardson, now at deep backward square leg.

Feature image courtesy: AFP Photo/ Saeed Khan

One can barely find a better example than the ongoing 2019 ICC World Cu to sum up Pakistan cricket �?blowing hot and cold.

Having started their campaign on a disastrous note with a humiliating loss to the West Indies in the opener, the Pakistani side stayed true to their tag of being one of the most unpredictable sides in the game when they bounced back in fine fashion to outscore the hosts and the pre-tournament favourites, England. As if that game was not enough evidence, the Sarfaraz Ahmed-led side once again, on Wednesday (June 12), showed there was enough room for further surprises in them.

After some quality bowling from the Pakistani pacers that saw them restrict defending champions Australia to a ‘modest�?307, their batsmen just didn’t turn up on the day. Though the tail-enders entertained the spectators with some fearless strokes, it was not enough as they were bundled out for 266, losing the game by 41 runs.

There’s no doubt that this loss is another blow to Pakistan’s chances of making it to the top four, especially with one of their games already being washed away and the rains threating to play spoilsport in the coming weeks too. But if there’s one positive that Pakistan can surely take away from this match, then that has to be Mohammad Amir.

For someone who broke into the scene at the tender age of 17, life has been anything but smooth sailing so far for Amir. From being caught and banned for spot-fixing, to returning to the international stage to help his side win the 2009 ICC World T20 and the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy, the Pakistani pacer has seen the good, bad and the ugly side of the sport. And ahead of the World Cup too, controversies barely left his side.

Being included in the 15-member squad despite a poor form since that 2017 Champions Trophy triumph was more than enough reason for critics to question the role Amir would play and how useful would he be for Pakistan at the quadrennial event. And this time though, they had the numbers going for them too.

Amir was barely a part of the Pakistani side in the build-up to the World Cup. And when he was included in the squad for the 2018 Asia Cup in the UAE, the left-arm pacer barely showed signs of the promise he once carried.

Then came his time in England �?a place that saw him being pushed to the darkest corner a few years back. But this time though, Amir was determined to make a mark for himself.

For all practical purposes, their opening game against the Windies was nothing to be proud of. Defending a total of 106, the Windies were steamrolling the chase. But even in such a helpless situation, Amir ensured he took back something. And his three wickets against the Caribbean side was just the beginning of what was to come.

Then, came England. Tagged to be the odds-on favourites to lift the title at Lord's on July 14, and coming into the game on the back of a splendid win over South Africa, the Three Lions barely showed any signs of letting go of the momentum. But then Amir seemed to have other plans for them too. On a flat deck, the pacer stuck to his line and probed the batsmen with his pace. Though it was not fruitful on most of the occasions, especially with the ball coming on to the bat with ease, Amir returned with the figures of 2 for 67.

While the two games he played showed the quality he possesses in flashes, against Australia, Mohammad Amir, the movie, was running full-house for close to three hours. Though David Warner had a go at him in his first spell, Amir accounted for the prized wicket of the Aussie skipper Aaron Finch, before returning in his second to claim four more and notch up his career-best figures of 5 for 30.

His performance wouldn't have saved Pakistan the blushes against Australia, but it did help Amir restore some lost pride in the same land that saw him lose everything a few years ago.

Feature photo courtesy: AFP Photo / Saeed Khan

Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis will miss his side’s next World Cup fixture against Pakistan after suffering a side strain. Cricket Australia has arranged for all-rounder Mitchell Marsh to be flown to the United Kingdom as a standby for Stoinis in case he is ruled out for a longer period.

Marsh though would be ineligible to play in the game against Pakistan. Australia would have to pick from a pool consisting of players like Shaun Marsh, Jason Behrendoff, Kane Richardson or Nathan Lyon for that match. Mitchell Marsh last played an ODI game for Australia in January 2018 and has since struggled to find form in all three formats, going on to lose his central cricket contract for the 2019-20 season as well.

Speaking about the injury, captain Aaron Finch said, “We are not exactly sure how many games he'll miss, that’s why we have Mitch (Marsh) flying over.�?/p>

“Mitch was meant to fly over with the Australia A side on Friday. He's just coming in a couple of days early as a bit of precaution if Stoinis doesn't recover quick enough or doesn't respond to treatment well enough over the next few days."

Feature image courtesy: AFP Photo/ Adrian Dennis

Australia captain Aaron Finch hopes the holders don't become the latest World Cup team to be derailed by bad weather.

Heavy rain has forced two no-results in the World Cup so far and Finch has been anxiously eyeing the forecast to see if Australia could be the next victims when they face Pakistan at Taunton on Wednesday.

Pakistan's match against Sri Lanka was washed out on Friday before the clash between South Africa and the West Indies was abandoned after less than eight overs play on Monday.

There is rain predicted in the Taunton area on Wednesday and Finch conceded luck with the weather could play a role in who makes the semi-finals from the 10-team group stage.

"I think it (weather) might play a huge part in the next few days," Finch told reporters on Tuesday. 

"Next week it starts fine and looks good across the country for the remainder of the tournament. 

"So it's important that you get early wins on the board because  you don't want to be on the wrong end of a couple of washouts that might leave you just outside that top four."

Australia failed to qualify for the semi-finals of the 2017 Champions Trophy in England following their rained-off matches against New Zealand and Bangladesh before they lost to England on D/L method.

If the match does get underway, Finch expects unpredictable Pakistan to provide a stern test.

They lost to the West Indies by seven wickets in their opening match, but shocked tournament favourites England with a fine performance.

"I think Pakistan are obviously a very dangerous side," Finch said of Pakistan, who have only won one of their last 14 matches against Australia.

"We've seen consistently throughout, especially ICC tournaments, that they win a lot of games and they get themselves in a position to win the tournament. 

"They had a great Champions Trophy. So regardless of what kind of form Pakistan go in with, they're always incredibly dangerous."

Pakistan survived a defeat against India in their opening game of the 2017 Champions Trophy before crushing their arch rivals in the final, leaving Finch a firm admirer of several of their players.

"They've got some world-class players. Obviously Babar (Azam) is in great touch batting at No. 3 and holding their batting together," Finn said.

"(Mohammad) Amir coming back and he looks to be back to his best. He's swinging the ball again. Wahab (Riaz) has been fast and aggressive. Shadab (Khan) is a great bowler. 

"Hasan (Ali) had a great Champions Trophy as well," said Finch of the pace bowler who was the player of the Champions Trophy with 13 wickets in 2017.

"When you look down their side there's no player that you can disregard. They've got a lot of experience on their side. They've got a lot of match winners."

Photo Courtesy: AFP Photo/ Saeed Khan

Sarfaraz Ahmed insists Pakistan fans won't boo shamed Australia star Steven Smith during their World Cup match in Taunton on Wednesday.

Pakistan fans are expected to make up a large chunk of the crowd in the west country and there are fears they might follow the example of the India supporters who jeered Smith at the Oval on Sunday.

But Pakistan captain Sarfaraz says his compatriots will not resort to such tactics.  

"I don't think Pakistani people will do that," Sarfaraz told reporters on Tuesday. 

"Pakistani people love cricket, they love to support and they love the players."

A large number of Indian fans chanted "cheater" at Smith, who back in action following a year-long ball for his role in the ball-tampering scandal that rocked Australia during their tour of South Africa in 2018.

India captain Virat Kohli gestured in an effort to quiet the crowd and later apologised to Smith.

Meanwhile, Sarfaraz vowed Pakistan will put their 5-0 whitewash by Australia in March behind them.

"I think that thing is gone, it's past," said Sarfaraz of the series in which he and six other top players were rested by Pakistan.

"We're not thinking about that. Actually we are thinking about tomorrow's game. So our morale is very high and we will do our best."

Sarfaraz refused to be drawn on whether Australia will be troubled by the absence of all-rounder Marcus Stoinis, who has been ruled out with a side strain.

Australia have summoned another all-rounder Mitchell Marsh as potential cover for Stoinis.

"I am not thinking about them, what they are thinking at the moment. I am thinking about my team, so we'll make good planning against them," Sarfaraz said.

Pakistan were left frustrated after their match against Sri Lanka was washed out at Bristol on Friday, leaving them to share a point.

Before that, Pakistan had brought their campaign back on track with a surprise 14-run win against tournament favourites England, after a poor defeat at the hands of the West Indies. 

With bad weather forecast for Taunton on Wednesday, Sarfaraz said his team are ready for a shortened match. 

"Firstly, we can't control the weather. It's same for both teams. But if the match is short, definitely the planning is a change one," he said.

Photo Courtesy: AFP Photo/Saeed Khan

Mohammad Amir will hope to enjoy another landmark occasion at Taunton when Pakistan face Australia there in a World Cup match on Wednesday.

The group fixture at southwest county Somerset's headquarters sees Amir back at the ground where he made his return to first-class cricket in England three years ago.

Amir was the rising star of world cricket when his career came to a stunning halt during a Lord's Test in 2010 after both he and new-ball partner Mohamed Asif were caught bowling no-balls on the orders of then Pakistan captain Salman Butt as part of a newspaper sting operation. 

The trio all received five-year bans from cricket and jail terms.

That same 2010 season had seen Amir produce a superb display of swing bowling in taking three for 20 as Pakistan dismissed Australia for just 88 on the first day of a 'neutral' Test at Headingley.

Those skills remained intact as Amir marked his 2016 return to the first-class game in England in 2016 with a haul of three for 36 against Somerset at Taunton.

All three wickets -- including that of former England opener Marcus Trescothick -- owed much to late swing. 

The intervening years have not been easy for Amir, however, and he almost missed what is his first World Cup after taking just five wickets in 14 matches before a recent one-day international series in England.

Amir did not bowl in the washed-out first match against England and missed the last four games with chicken pox. England won the series 4-0.

But having been left out of Pakistan's preliminary squad for the World Cup, the 27-year-old made it into the final 15.

His World Cup debut was a rare Pakistan highlight after they slumped to 105 all out against the West Indies, with Amir taking three for 26 in a seven-wicket loss at Trent Bridge.

He was in the wickets again at the Nottingham ground, but this time in a winning cause, with two for 67 as Pakistan surprisingly beat tournament favourites England by 14 runs last week.

But Pakistan's progress was checked by a total washout against Sri Lanka at Bristol.

'Aggressive approach'

Pakistan have won just one of their last 14 matches against champions Australia, the five-times World Cup winners.

That victory was inspired by Mohammad Hafeez's 72 at Melbourne in January 2017. 

And it was Hafeez's 84 that laid the foundations for an impressive total of 348 for eight against England.

"We have not won many matches against Australia but we had not won too many against England either," said Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed.

"But we have finally beaten England and that has given us a lot of positives. 

"We will go with the aggressive approach we showed against England."

The wicket-keeper expects to face an Australia side stung by a 36-run loss to India last weekend -- their first defeat of this World Cup following wins over Afghanistan and the West Indies.

"We know Australia will try to come back and with (Steve) Smith and (David) Warner back they are at their best again," said Sarfaraz.

"We respect all our opponents and are ready for them."

 Warner worry

Australia will hope opener Warner, for all he has already scored two fifties this World Cup, is back to his destructive best at Taunton.

Warner's 56 off 84 balls against India -- of which 48 were dots -- helped contribute to a slow run-rate that left Australia with too much to do at the end of their innings.

The left-hander was also involved in the run-out of Australia captain and opening partner Aaron Finch.

But Finch backed Warner, who along with Smith is playing in his first major tournament for Australia since serving a year-long ban for ball-tampering.

"They (India) bowled very well to Warner and he needs some more time. He's a world-class player and will get us off to a flyer," said Finch

Photo Courtesy: AFP Photo/ Lindsey Parnaby