A supremely-paced century from Andrew Symonds proved just too much for Pakistan as Australia won a thrilling NatWest International match at Lord's by 10 runs.

Symonds' unbeaten 104 carried Australia to 269 for six on a slow pitch - and with Michael Kasprowicz then taking five for 47 the task proved beyond their opponents despite a Pakistan record stand of 162 for the fifth wicket between Yousuf Youhana (88) and Inzamam-ul-Haq (72).

The two Pakistan middle-order men manoeuvred themselves from a highly unlikely position at 66 for four in the 18th over into a potential match-winning one, bettering Symonds' sixth-wicket stand with Michael Clarke which had been so crucial to Australia's total.

But Australia stuck to their task in the field - and once they parted the Pakistan captain and one of his most experienced adjutants the last six wickets fell for 31 runs in 22 balls as the world champions got home with 10 deliveries still to bowl.

They had to work hard with bat and ball for their success, though - and Symonds bore the brunt on the way to his second one-day international hundred, both of which have come against Pakistan.

Like opener Matthew Hayden (52) before him, Symonds needed graft and good fortune but received full value for his labours when he cashed in with 17 off Shoaib Akhtar's final over to reach three figures off 102 balls - having hit nine fours and a six.

Put in under glorious skies, Australia soon learned they would have to compile rather than blast their runs.

Stands of 69 for the third wicket between Hayden and Damien Martyn and then 88 between Symonds and Clarke were the most important periods of play for the eventual victors.

Brad Haddin had just a modicum of success with his early pinch-hitting until Mohammad Sami's extra pace cramped him in an attempted back-foot shot which resulted in a simple catch at cover.

Australia captain Ricky Ponting got only a half-stride into a forward defensive shot, and the only qualm about the lbw verdict was whether the ball might have gone on to clear the height of the stumps.

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