Pakistanis resist, but Aussies sweep

A regulation whitewash, Australia clinically finished a 3-0 sweep of Pakistan with a 9-wicket win at the SCG. Pakistan, starting the day at 67/1, was bowled out for 325 and then Australia raced to the target of 62 in 9.3 overs.

The only casualty of the Aussie chase was Justin Langer, bowled by Kaneria for 34 at 58/1. This after the openers brought up the first half-century in 5.5 overs. Sealing the win were Matthew Hayden (23 not out) and the Man of the Match Ricky Ponting (4 not out). Kaneria took 1/16 in 2.3 overs.

Earlier Pakistan resumed with Yasir Hameed on 40 and Younis Khan on 5. The score was pushed past the century mark to 104, when Hameed was trapped in front by Warne for 63. His innings was 77 balls in length and featured 9 boundaries. The following partnership was another solid one, but carrying on with Pakistan's series theme, the batsmen did not carry on with their starts.

Captain Yousuf Youhana (30) was bowled around his legs by MacGill, then Younis Khan (44) LBW to Watson (his first Test wicket), both falling at 164 - 164/4. Asim Kamal and Shahid Afridi provided another recovery, of 74 runs this time. Afridi played a typically aggressive innings and reached 46 off 52 balls, then was run out in senlessly as the non-striker.

World-record holder, Shane Warne then made his impact. He took the wickets of Kamran Akmal (4), Naved-ul-Hasan (9) and Shoaib Akhtar (0) and 238/5 became 269/8. Shoaib Akhtar's duck was his second of the match, accompanying a wicketless bowling performance.

Before order could set in again, and just 8 balls later, Kaneria (0) had his stumps disturbed by MacGill. The end was truly near at 270/9, but Mohammad Asif fought on alongside Asim Kamal and the score was lifted bravely by 55 runs to 325 all out. The partnership consisted largely of Kamal's attacking play against the spinners.

He was the last man to fall, caught one-handed at slip by Ponting off Gillespie for a very well-compiled 87. Asif was unbeaten on 12.

The legspinners did it for Australia - Shane Warne 4/111 and Stuart MacGill 3/83 - and Gillespie (1/39) and Shane Watson (1/30) were the others successful. Glenn McGrath's fruitful series ended with figures of 0/53.

Stuart MacGill, recalled for this third Test match, was named the Man of the Match for his 8 wickets. The Man of the Series award was granted to Damien Martyn for prolific runscoring in clutch situations.

Score Summary:

Pakistan 1st innings 304 ao (86.4 overs)
Salman Butt 108, Yasir Hameed 58, Kamran Akmal 47, Younis Khan 46
SCG MacGill 5/87, GD McGrath 4/50

Australia 1st innings 568 ao (133.3 overs)
RT Ponting 207, AC Gilchrist 113, DR Martyn 67
Danish Kaneria 7/188, Naved-ul-Hasan 3/107

Pakistan 2nd innings 325 ao (89.2 overs)
Asim Kamal 87, Yasir Hameed 63, Shahid Afridi 46, Younis Khan 44
SK Warne 4/111, SCG MacGill 3/83

Australia 2nd innings 62/1 (9.3 overs)
JL Langer 34, ML Hayden 23 not out
Danish Kaneria 1/16

Posted by Liam