Australia snatch victory from the jaws of defeat
Australia pulled off a miraculous 36-run victory against Pakistan in the second Test at Sydney to go 2-0 up in the three-match series on January 6.
First, as things seemed absolutely hopeless when they lost eight second winnings for 257, meaning a lead of just 51 runs having conceded a 206-run first innings lead earlier, the ninth wicket partnership between the reliable Mike Hussey and Peter Siddle added 123 invaluable runs to set Pakistan a target of 176. Hussey remained unbeaten on 134, his 11th Test century while Siddle contributed a gritty 38. Earlier, Shane Watson was unlucky again to miss his century as he fell for 97. For Pakistan, Danish Kaneria took 5 for 151 and Umar Gul claimed 3 for 83.
A target of 176 with well over a day’s play remaining might seem an achievable task, but the Australians had different ideas. They took wickets at regular intervals allowing no real partnership to take shape and finally achieved the near-impossible task of dismissing the Pakistanis for 139. Umar Akmal (49) was the only threat to the home team but his departure destroyed whatever hopes Pakistan had for victory. Nathan Hauritz was the most successful bowler claiming 5 for 53. Mitchell Johnson gave him fine support taking 3 for 27.
Pakistan scored had scored 333 in their first innings thanks to a fine knock of 71 by Salman Butt. Useful contributions were also made by Imran Farhat (53), Umar Akmal (49) and skipper Mohammad Yousuf (46). Dougie Bollinger was the most impressive bowler to finish with 4 for 72.
Earlier Pakistan bundled out Australia for 127 in the first innings in which Johnson (38) and Hussey (28) were the main contributors. Pakistan’s medium pacer Mohammad Asif destroyed the Australian batting with a magnificent 6 for 41. Mohammad Sami, making a comeback, took 3 for 27.
Hussey was adjudged Man of the Match.
Brief scores: Australia 127 (Asif 6/41, Sami 3/27) and 381 (Hussey 134*, Watson 97; Kaneria 5/151, Gul 3/83); Pakistan 333 (Butt 71, Farhat 53; Bollinger 4/72) and 139 (U Akmal 49; Hauritz 5/53, Johnson 3/27). Australia won by 36 runs.
