Symonds celebrates his superb hundred (Allsport).

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Australia overcame the shock news of Shane Warne's failed drug test to start their World Cup defence with an 82-run victory over Pakistan at The Wanderers in Johannesburg.

Andrew Symonds was the star of the show in the Pool A match with an unbeaten 143 to lead Australia to a total of 310 for eight as they overcame the shock of hearing star leg-spinner Warne had tested positive for a banned diuretic and was being sent home from the tournament.

The total proved too much for Pakistan to match in the face of an intimidating Australian attack, although Rashid Latif and Wasim Akram offered up a measure of resistance by adding 33 apiece as the tail wagged its way to a final total of 228.

The day undoubtedly belonged to Symonds, whose score represented his first-ever one-day international century and who followed up his heroics with the bat with the best catch of the day for the fifth Pakistani wicket, diving full length to field a loose one from Yousuf Youhana.

Another splendid catch - this time a stunning one-hander from Glenn McGrath off the bowling of Ian Harvey - accounted for Waqar Younis and ended Pakistan's innings.

It was the end of a frustrating day for Waqar, who was taken out of the Pakistani attack after two beamers almost struck a furious Symonds at head height.

The win sets the Australians up nicely for their next match against India at Centurion on Saturday.

Symonds scored the bulk of Australia's runs in a knock which included two sixes and 18 other boundaries after a forgettable start for the world champions overshadowed by the news concerning Warne.

Wasim removed opener Gilchrist for one, the batsman top-edging a short delivery to Waqar to leave Australia on 10 for one.

Matthew Hayden and captain Ricky Ponting rallied to take Australia to 52 without further loss.

But Hayden's innings ended there when Wasim struck again to dismiss him for a 41-ball 27, the batsman getting an inside edge on to his stumps as he attempted a cut.

Things then went from bad to worse for Australia with replacement batsmen Damien Martyn going first ball, Wasim claiming his third victim.

Jimmy Maher departed when he was caught behind by Rashid off Waqar's bowling, without further adding to his score.

But Symonds steadied the ship and Australia began to build a respectable total.

He lost his partner Ponting for 53 when Taufeeq Umar held a catch off Shoaib Akhtar.

That left Australia on 146 for five and they were further reduced when Hogg was run out soon after for just 14.

Harvey departed for 24 - caught by Wasim off Akhtar - while Lee managed just two before Wasim lulled him into floating a catch towards Inzamam ul-Haq.

Jason Gillespie put Australia on the front foot in Pakistan's reply when he led Shahid Afridi into edging a delivery behind to Gilchrist for one.

That left Pakistan reeling on nine for one and soon after Taufeeq survived a confident appeal for caught behind, again off Gillespie.

Taufeeq was not so fortunate when he skied a Brett Lee delivery to Brad Hogg on 21.

Inzamam showed brief defiance when he slashed a Glenn McGrath delivery to the boundary but the Australian's response was true class, tempting the Pakistan player into an edge to Gilchrist for six with his very next ball to leave the score 49 for three.

Salim Elahi and Yousuf Youhana tried to accelerate the pedestrian Pakistani run rate with a flurry of boundaries in their fourth-wicket partnership. Salim had been dealing competently with the Australian pacemen but was then deceived by Ian Harvey's slower ball on 30 as he skied one to Lee to give Harvey a wicket from his very first World Cup delivery.

Harvey, who ended with figures of four for 58, lured Youhana into the same trap on 27 as he also hit a loose one to Symonds in the outfield as Pakistan struggled on 103 for five.

Younis Khan's wicket then fell in bizarre circumstances for 19 when he took a wild swing at a full toss from Hogg, letting go of his bat and seeing the ball float into the grateful hands of Ponting.

Former Middlesex star Abdur Razzaq made 25 before he was next to go, caught and bowled by Hogg.

Rashid and Wasim lifted Pakistan, the former hitting two sixes and a four off three successive Lee deliveries as their eighth-wicket partnership flourished before Rashid was bowled by the left-arm spin of Hogg for 33.

Wasim had reached the same total when he went for another boundary off Harvey was caught above the head by Ponting and McGrath's diving catch to remove Waqar ensured four points on a trying day for Australia.