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Nathan Hauritz takes a catch - Source: Reuters -
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Australia beat Pakistan by 170 runs in the first Test at the MCG
after offspinner Nathan Hauritz achieved his maiden five-wicket
haul.
Hauritz took the two remaining wickets in his first over after
lunch to finish with 5-101 as Pakistan crashed to 251 in their
second innings.
Hauritz had Pakistan captain Mohammad Yousuf caught at short leg
off the pad for 61 and five balls later had Saeed Ajmal (10) caught
from a skied slog.
Australia had set Pakistan 422 runs to win.
Australia set up the early finish with five wickets in the first
session of the day, including two by Mitchell Johnson in successive
balls in the first over.
Johnson had Umar Akmal (27) and Misbah-ul-Haq (0) both caught
behind and then nearly dismissed Kamran Akmal in similar fashion
when bowling for a hat-trick.
Hauritz also picked up two wickets in as many balls in the first
session, the first when Kamran (30) was stumped and the second when
Mohammad Aamer (duck).
Hauritz's return was his first five-wicket haul in first-class
cricket and came after he scored a Test-best 75 as a nightwatchman
in Australia's first innings.
Australia's win created history for Ricky Ponting, who has now
captained the most Test victories (42) of anyone, and played in
more wins (93) than any other player.
Ponting moved clear of former teammates Steve Waugh as the most
successful captain, and Shane Warne as the player to have been
involved in the most wins.
Apart from Hauritz, the match was also a great one for several of
Ponting's teammates.
Opener Shane Watson made his maiden Test hundred (120 not out) in
Australia's second innings after 93 on Boxing Day, while Simon
Katich (98), Mike Hussey (82) and Ponting (57) also made
half-centuries.
Paceman Mitchell Johnson had a superb game, with returns of 3-36
and 3-46 across combined 40 overs, as well as 22 with the
bat.
The second Test starts at the SCG on January 3.
Hauritz was pleased to be a part of another good Australian
bowling effort.
"The tone was set by Mitch in the first over, there were some
crucial wickets there," he told the Nine Network.
"I was lucky enough to get a few in there."
