WELLINGTON, 20 February 2005 — A superb display of pace bowling by Glenn McGrath lifted Australia to a 10-run win over New Zealand in their opening One-Day International yesterday.

McGrath captured four wickets for just 16 runs, including two in four balls when New Zealand were pressing for victory. The Kiwis crumbled to 226 all out in reply to Australia’s 236-7. New Zealand looked to be heading toward an unlikely victory after opener Nathan Astle made a patient 65 and Hamish Marshall weighed in with 76 off 69 balls.

They required 21 runs off the last three overs with four wickets in hand when the Australians suddenly regained control. Brett Lee had Brendon McCullum caught on the boundary for eight in the 48th over then bowled Daniel Vettori for a golden duck in the same over.

New Zealand needed 13 off the last two overs with Marshall still in full flow but the reintroduction of McGrath signaled the end. The lanky paceman finished Marshall’s brave performance when the New Zealander played on and then he bowled Daryl Tuffey three balls later.

Earlier, Matthew Hayden (71), Ricky Ponting (61) and Andrew Symonds (53) had all helped Australia give their bowlers a target to defend after the middle-order collapsed.

The world champions had looked to be cruising toward a big total when Hayden and Ponting added 133 for the second wicket but New Zealand all-rounder Scott Styris suddenly ripped through the middle-order, capturing 4-40. Australia dipped to 160-6 but Symonds and Brad Hogg (25 not out) steadied the innings with a seventh wicket stand of 69.

Pakistan Recall Arshad Khan After Five-Year Break

In Karachi, Pakistan recalled off spinner Arshad Khan for the tour of India after five years on the sidelines.

The tall 33-year-old, who last played a Test match against England in November 2000, was the only surprise in the 16-man squad chosen for the three-Test series starting later this month.

“We require a second specialist spinner to support Danish Kaneria,” chief selector Wasim Bari told Reuters. “He is experienced and has been bowling very well in domestic matches.”

Arshad took 30 wickets in eight Tests at 28.40 each and 44 wickets in 48 one-dayers.

The selectors also included fast bowlers Mohammad Sami and Mohammad Khalil after they passed fitness tests yesterday.

Sami returned home from Australia last month with a heel injury, while left-armer Khalil dislocated his shoulder in a collision with teammate Rana Naved.

Strike bowler Shoaib Akhtar was not considered after he pulled out on Friday with a hamstring problem. Bari said Akhtar would be considered for the one-dayers if fit.

The first Test is scheduled to start on Friday, March 4. The squad is thin on pace, with only three specialist fast bowlers in Sami, Khalil and Rana Naved backed up by all-rounder Abdul Razzaq. But it is packed with spinners in Kaneria, Arshad and Shahid Afridi, with Shoaib Malik likely to offer support. Malik, who bowls off-spin, was reported for a suspect action last October and has not bowled since.

Younis Khan has replaced Yousuf Youhana as vice captain for the tour. Pakistan, who will also play six One-Day Internationals, have not toured India for six years following political tensions between the neighbors. Bari said the squad would be changed for the one-dayers.

Squad: Salman Butt, Taufeeq Umar, Yasir Hameed, Younis Khan, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Yousuf Youhana, Asim Kamal, Kamran Akmal, Abdul Razzaq, Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi, Danish Kaneria, Arshad Khan, Mohammad Sami, Rana Naved, Mohammad Khalil.