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Sydney: Nathan Hauritz Wednesday spun Australia to an incredible 36-run win over Pakistan on day four of the second Test here to give the hosts a 2-0 lead in the three-Test series.
Defending 175 in the fourth innings, Hauritz picked up five for 53 from 12 overs to deny Pakistan what everyone thought would be their first Test win Down Under in 14 years.
Centurion Michael Hussey was adjudged Man of the Match.
Australia were on the verge of losing the match with only 2 wickets in hand and a lead of 80 last night, but they came out today morning, believed they could get a total good enough to defend and sure enough, they did that!
After electing to bat first, Australia were bundled out for a paltry 127. Pakistan started off well in chasing that score, but suddenly in the third session on day 2, they started playing too many shots. True, they did get the lead across 200, but lost all their wickets in the process.
Watson and Hughes led a strong reply to a deficit of 206. But a collapse in the middle-order left Australia with a lead of 80 runs with only 2 wickets left. But the ninth wicket stand of 123 between Michael Hussey and Peter Siddle saw Australia take the lead to 175.
That left Pakistan with a target of 176 with 5 sessions to go. Pakistan came out on an all-attack launch which saw them score runs at the rate of knotts, but often when you live by the sword, you die by it as well. 176 proved to be too much and in the end, they fell short by 36 runs. Nathan Hauritz picked up his second five-wicket haul in two games. The fielding was the difference between the two sides - Kamran Akmal dropping 4 catches in the third innings while Nathan Hauritz, Mitchell Johnson and Brad Haddin took outstanding catches in the fourth innings which turned the game completely.
"The first three days saw fortunes fluctuating both sides with Pakistan holding a slight edge at the end of day 3. But Australianism prevailed. They were let off with 4 dropped catches and they sniffed a chance of victory. That was enough for them", said Man of the match Michael Hussey.
They batted slightly better in the second innings, although there was a collapse yet again and managed to give their bowlers something to bowl at. The bowlers grabbed the opportunity with both hands and in the end, some excellent bowling combined with extraordinary fielding and ordinary batting handed Australia a series win. Both teams now head to Hobart for the third Test which will be a dead rubber.
Brief scores
Australia: 127 and 381 (Hussey 134*, Kaneria 5-151)
Pakistan: 333 and 139 (Umar Akmal 49, Hauritz 5-53, Johnson 3-27)
Result: Australia won by 36 runs.
MOM: Michael Hussey (Australia).
