As it happened Australia v Pakistan: Pat Cummins takes 10 wickets as Australia beat Pakistan by 79 runs in Boxing Day Test, wins series 2-0

What an amazing end to an amazing Test match.

Australia have won the match by 79 runs and claimed the series with Pakistan 2-0 with the Sydney Test still to come.

Pat Cummins won the Johnny Mullagh Medal as man of the match for his 10 wickets.

Australia celebrates victory in the Boxing Day Test.Credit: Getty Images

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In all the chaos of the last two hours, it feels like the explanation around why Rizwan was called out may have been a little overlooked.

So I’ll recap it as best I can.

Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan.Credit: AP

The third umpire looked at multiple replays and judged that there was evidence the ball had hit the ‘wristband’ or ‘trim’ of Rizwan’s right glove ie the elastic-velcro end that goes around the batter’s wrist.

Rizwan claimed a mark above his wrist was from where the ball hit him and he shouldn’t be called out.

The umpire saw it differently and he was out, but it will certainly be debated.

More from Pat Cummins chat post game.

Pakistan getting within 100 runs of victory:

“I got a little bit twitchy,” Cummins told broadcasters.

“They were batting pretty nicely. I was happy with the Rizwan wicket.

“Anything with a ‘3’ in front of it was the aim [300 plus]. We had enough to bowl at but it was a little bit tight.”

Pat Cummins.Credit: Getty Images

On recovering from 4-16:

“Steve and Marshy’s partnership got us back in the game,” Cummins said.

“We were behind a little while there and they had bowled well and had their tails up. The wicket was tough and that partnership got us back in the game and gave us something to defend.

“Even at 4-16, our dressing room was calm. We know someone was going to step up. There is trust and support. Every week it feels like another match-winner is going to step up.”

On the achievements in 2023:

“Lots of cricket. Lots of success on the field. We are going to look back at 2023 as one of the special ones.”

Could it be anyone else? Pat Cummins took 10 wickets, the first captain to do so in a Test at the MCG. He is man of the match.

“I love playing here, Boxing Day is just about the biggest Test match on the calendar each year,” Cummins told broadcasters.

“I love the build up and the last few years the wicket has been pretty nice for us quicks.”

Mitchell Marsh to Fox Cricket

On the match:

“It was a tense four days. Great cricket wicket, both bat and ball were in the game.“Our bowling attack showed its class in the end.”

On his catch:

”Just another one down to pot luck, my first call was “yours” to Smudge [Steve Smith], and then I managed to snare it. It’s always nice to take that one.”

Mitchell Marsh.Credit: AP

On the win

“These days 300 runs doesn’t feel like a lot. We knew we were only a couple of wickets away but when Babar was in, you know how class he is, and Rizwan batted beautifully.

“We felt one wicket ahead but when it gets tight at the end, you rely on your experience and your calmness. This group has played in a lot of big games in the last 12 months. We relied on that in that last hour.”

On Cummins:

“What a game. 10 wickets. Reached 250 wickets and he captained beautifully as well. He is an absolute star.”

Starc has sent down another short ball and Hamza top-edged it with Steve Smith diving under it and taking the catch.

Australia win by 79 runs. Cummins has 10 wickets in a brilliant display.

Pakistan were brave, just didn’t have Pat Cummins.

Mitchell Marsh has taken a diving catch in the outfield to dismiss Salman for 50.

Starc was the bowler and now Australia are just one wicket from victory.

What a turnaround.

Cummins has his 10th wicket of the match after making a short one fiz up at the head of Afridi, who could only knock it into the air where it was caught.

Australia needs two more wickets in just under six overs.

Salman has powered to 50 runs and shown some toughness to do so after taking a few blows to the body and with Cummins and co bearing down on him.

According to Fox Cricket, there are eight overs to play, they don’t have to be played inside 30 minutes.

This extension of play will be 30 minutes from 6.03 pm AEDT or eight overs.

Judging from the over rate in this match, fair chance they will use all the time alotted.

Pat Cummins.Credit: Getty Images