Andrew Symonds slaughtered Pakistan with an innings of a lifetime to haul himself (and Australia) out of the depths of personal (and team) misery to a match-winning total of 310 for 8 at the Wanderers on Tuesday afternoon.

Australia's cup of woe was already brimming over even before Waqar Younis won the toss. Warne was prematurely using up his return ticket. Lehmann was still serving his suspension. Bevan was injured. The Aussies effectively exactly 12 players to pick their 11 from.

With Wasim Akram sending back Gilchrist (1), Hayden (27)and Martyn (0) back to the tent in next to no time, another favourite seemed set to bite the dust.

Only one man's name was everyone's lips: Steve Waugh, whose 325 ODIs were a full 40 more than the Hayden, Maher, Hogg, Gillespie, Lee, Harvey and Symonds -- put together.

Out strode Symonds. Just a month ago, his selection to the Australian side had been one of the most controversial. But over the course of the next 120 balls or so, he demonstrated Ricky Ponting's abiding faith in him, and did so in the company of the Australian skipper, who scored 53.

Eighteen fours, one more imperious than the other, flowed in Symonds' 143 (120 balls).  The last 45 runs came off 22 balls. Akram was flat-batted for six over long on. Afridi went for 19 off just one over.

The arrogance of the shots prompted full tosses from Waqar, and eventually when one too many were hurled at Symonds' head, the Pakistani skipper had the ultimate ignominy of being asked by the Rev David Shepherd to stop his last over, with three balls to go.