The conditions could barely be more of a contrast but for Matthew Wade, it all counts. The Australian wicketkeeper could not have timed things better with a resounding century two days before the Test squad to tour India will be announced.
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Australia too good in opening one-dayer
After initially slumping to 78/5 Matthew Wade's century gave Australia enough runs to bowl at as they dismissed Pakistanto win by 92 runs.
Wade has been under fire for his poor returns with the bat since taking over from Peter Nevill in the baggy green. Picked for his work with the willow, not the gloves, the Victorian was well overdue for runs – any runs – in any form of the game.
It has been quite the lean run for Wade, who hadn't managed to get past a high score of 38 in any form since a ODI against New Zealand in December. His maiden century in this format, scored off the final ball, would help set up Australia's 92-run victory against Pakistan in the opening one-dayer at the Gabba.
Wade and Maxwell, state teammates but an obvious odd couple given their fall-out about batting orders late last year, were the two men to rescue a faltering Australian innings in sweltering conditions in Brisbane.
Their 82-run partnership off 88 balls produced the lion's share of Australia's 9-268 and Wade quite literally needed every ball to bring up his unbeaten century. With towering rookie quick Billy Stanlake at the other end and scouring his bat for instructions, it was hardly a good thing.
Stanlake managed to survive and loped down the other end as Wade front-edged the final delivery of the innings to reach 100 off as many balls and blunt his critics, for the moment at least.
In reply, Pakistan stumbled out of the blocks with skipper Azhar Ali retiring hurt with a leg injury before returning later to try to stem the bleeding as the wickets fell. Pat Cummins (3-33) and James Faulkner (4-32) shared the honours as the tourists limped to being all out for 176 in 42 overs.
![Routine win: David Warner took a couple of catches late in the contest.](/web/20170114030033im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/r/c/l/4/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gtqzi8.png/1484308466877.jpg)
Stanlake's debut will be memorable for the fact he held up an end for Wade, rather than his bowling. The 204cm spearhead felt sick after only three overs, tapping his chest and struggling in the humid, still surrounds of the Gabba.
The 22-year-old went up the tunnel for treatment and returned to the field but never looked energetic enough to resume duties with the ball. Travis Head rattled off 10 overs and finished with 0-28 in a more than useful contribution.
![Back in form: Matt Wade made an even 100 off 100 balls.](/web/20170114030033im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/r/c/l/7/image.related.articleLeadNarrow.300x0.gtqzi8.png/1484308466877.jpg)
While Wade added a much-needed dose of drama, those desperate to see Chris Lynn produce a wrecking ball job in green and gold will have to wait. The BBL superstar could only manage 16 runs in his long-awaited limited-overs debut as he fell among the top-order carnage.
The 26-year-old Heat hero didn't have to cool his heels for long before being given his cue. When he arrived in the middle, his first task was simply to survive one ball after Mohammad Amir clean bowled a strangely docile David Warner for seven, then had captain Steve Smith out nicking behind to record his first golden duck in one-day internationals.
Lynn staved off the hat-trick delivery but couldn't unleash the kind of fireworks that saw him belt one of out the stadium just over a week ago.
He did hit one six in his 12-ball cameo before an ugly swipe off Hasam Ali saw him sky one straight to wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan.
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