Nathan Hauritz’s fiver helps Aussies smash Pak by 171 runs in MCG Test

Chasing a mammoth total of 422 runs, Pakistan had a daunting task of surviving the penultimate day of the first Test match here, and Australian off-spinner Nathan Hauritz made the task impossible with his maiden five wicket haul.

Riding on Hauritz’s splendid spell (5-101) Australia defeated Pakistan by 171 runs at the MCG here. Starting the day on 170 for 3, Pakistan crashed to 251 all out in the second innings.

For Aussie captain, Ricky Ponting the win was more special, as he has now captained the most Test victories (42) than any other player in the world, and played in more wins (93).

Hauritz first removed Pakistani captain Mohammad Yousuf, who was the lone batsman to show some resistance making 61, and then five balls later scalped Saeed Ajmal, who made 10.

Hauritz then took wickets in successive balls later in the session, before Doug Bollinger chipped in with another. Pakistan was reeling at 249 for 8 at lunch, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Earlier, Johnson bowled two ferocious deliveries to send back Umar Akmal (27) and Misbah-ul-Haq, whose woes deepened with a first ball duck.

Last man, Asad Rauf , who had disappointing match, denied Hauritz a hat-trick, but was cleaned-up by Bollinger for five in the very next over.

With this win Australia has taken a 1-0 lead in the three match series.  The second match starts as the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on January 3.