NewsBite

Australia v Pakistan: Nathan Lyon takes five wickets in huge victory

Nathan Lyon was the main man on day four as Australia wrapped up the second Test against Pakistan by an innings and 48 runs.

Andrew Faulkner and Adrian McMurray
Nathan Lyon celebrates with his teammates on day four. Picture: AAP
Nathan Lyon celebrates with his teammates on day four. Picture: AAP
12 min read
10:20PMDecember 02, 2019.
Updated 8:16AMDecember 03, 2019

Australia have taken the series against Pakistan 2-0 with victory in the second Test in Adelaide by an innings and 48 runs. See how the fourth and final day unfolded below.

Andrew Faulkner 8.54pm: Paine praises bowlers

Paine was proud of his bowlers for their “clinical” performance in the back-to-back Pakistan innings.

“They knew they had it in them, to go again,” Paine said.

“Barring some fielding yesterday, I thought the quality of our cricket was really good.

“I think our bowlers were excellent in both Test matches to create 20 chances.”

Paine said Starc had a slight foot problem - he was about to lose a big toenail - but would be fine for the Perth Test on Thursday week.

“It’s nothing he hasn’t worked with before.”

Andrew Faulkner 8.30pm: Pakistan captain refuses to blame conditions

Pakistan captain Azhar Ali was understandably disappointed with the series result, but refused to blame the unfamiliar Australian conditions.

“We have to adapt,” Azhar said. “These are the best batting conditions anywhere in the world because there’s even bounce and there’s not many cracks opening up early in the game.”

He was hopeful the next time the nations clashed in a Test, it would be in Pakistan.

“We’re all hopeful because a lot of positive things have happened lately.

“We have Sri Lanka playing Test matches in a couple of weeks. So hopefully other teams will see that it’s safe to play.”

Andrew Faulkner 8.13pm: Warner named player of the series

Unsurprisingly, Warner is man of the match and player of the series.

“I am very happy we didn’t have to bat again,” he said. “The legs are OK. You know we practised for that. I was very tired last night. I actually fell asleep on the couch. That happens, but all-in-all it was a great team performance and obviously winning by an innings two games in a row doesn’t really happen too often and is an exceptional effort by the boys.”

Warner is looking forward to the New Zealand series, which starts with a day/night Test at Perth Stadium next week.

“We know every time they come across here it is always a good contest and a good battle. The last time we played in Perth it was day game at the WACA. So it will be a little bit different. The conditions are probably going to suit their attack as well because they like to obviously swing the ball and seam the ball. We obviously have to wait and see what wickets are prepared and adjust accordingly.”

Peter Lalor 8.06pm: Lyon’s bagful final tick as Aussies find their stride

A five-wicket haul for Nathan Lyon put a tick in one of the last unmarked boxes for Australian cricket as the home side showed just how dominant they can be.

Monday’s Adelaide Advertiser, as loyal to the Test match as the locals, printed a double-sided poster celebrating the hero of the Adelaide Oval Test, David Warner. On one side an image of the cricketer celebrating one of the three hundreds of his innings on the other a sepia-toned recreation of the Evening News poster printed when Bradman made his 334 at Headingley: “WARNER BATS AND BATS AND BATS”.

Australian players celebrate their series win over Pakistan. Picture: AAP
Australian players celebrate their series win over Pakistan. Picture: AAP

The resuscitation of Warner’s Test career after a near-death experience in the Ashes is complete. He was named both man of the match after this dominant innings and 48-run win at Adelaide Oval and man of the series.

Read more here

Andrew Faulkner 7.50pm: Lyon takes five in huge victory

Australia has won the second Test by an innings and 48 runs.

The end for a mercurial but misfiring Pakistan was fitting – Abbas was run out backing up too far.

Cummins’ direct hit from mid-on had him well short of his crease.

Lyon was the star of the day for Australia, finishing with 5-69 from 25 overs.

Hazelwood (3-63 from 23) was superb too.

And the result vindicates the timing of Paine’s first innings declaration, and also his choice to enforce the follow-on.

The 2-0 result edges Australia up to equal fourth in the world with South Africa.

They can climb as high as second if they can carry their form into the New Zealand series starting in Perth on Thursday week.

Nathan Lyon celebrates on day four. Picture: AFP
Nathan Lyon celebrates on day four. Picture: AFP

Andrew Faulkner 7.41pm: Immediate result with new ball

After going long periods without a wicket today, the end is coming in a rush for the Australians.

Taking the new ball as soon as it was due, the tourists saw off six balls before the seventh, from Hazlewood, scattered Rizwan’s stumps.

His doughty knock ended on 45 (103 balls with four fours).

Adrian McMurray 7.20pm: Time to get clinical: Lyon

Lyon has called on his fellow bowlers to get the job done in the final session tonight.

Speaking at the dinner break, Australia’s man of the moment was unperturbed by his spell yesterday without success after snaring five wickets today.

“I can bowl a lot worse and take eight wickets in a session. It’s just one of those things. I’m enjoying playing with the boys, it’s a great group,” he told Fox Cricket.

“(That was a) pretty good session, hopefully we can be a bit more clinical and finish this off.”

Andrew Faulkner 6.54pm: Lyon takes five

Lyon has gone to dinner holding the ball aloft after taking his 16th five-wicket haul in Tests.

His fifth scalp was a typical off-spinner’s wicket; the left-handed tailender Shaheen Afridi sliced a high ball to Hazlewood at deep mid-off.

Lyon’s bag of wickets ends a relatively dry run, for him, as it’s his first five-for since his 6-49 in Birmingham six Tests ago.

But he’s been bowling well, so the Australians knew it was a matter of time before the wickets flowed.

He might not get a chance to add to his wicket tally tonight, however, as the new ball is due soon after the break.

At 8-229, this might end very quickly.

Andrew Faulkner 6.42pm: Four for Lyon

Lyon has made it four out of four to trap first-innings centurion Yasir lbw for 13.

Yasir reviewed but everything lined up – the ball pitched in line and was hitting the top of off.

Lyon has 4-63 – and all four wickets that have fallen today – to have Pakistan 7-226 approaching dinner.

Adrian McMurray 6.22pm: Labuschagne struck

A scary moment for Labuschagne when he’s hit flush on the helmet fielding at short leg. He’s checked by the team doctor and he’s fine to continue. Phew. Pakistan 6-214.

Andrew Faulkner 5.59pm: Lyon gets his third

Lyon has his third for the day as Labuschagne holds a catch at last.

Iftikhar has gone, well caught on the second grab at short leg, for 27.

The lead’s been whittled down to 86 and Rizwan (27 not out) has been joined by first innings centurion Yasir.

Earlier hearts were in (older) mouths when Rizwan picked up the ball.

Because it takes a brave batsman picks up the ball in an Australia/Pakistan Test.

Andrew Hilditch found that out in Perth 40 years ago when he tossed the ball back to Sarfraz Nawaz – and was given out handled ball.

Of course Rizwan wasn’t born then, so might not even know of the chequered Pakistan/Australia history when it comes to handled balls, mankads and dodgy runouts.

The Australians would never appeal. Even if this series hadn’t been played in good spirit, which it has.

5.40pm: Paine’s confusion

Andrew Faulkner 5.17pm: Starc on a mission

Starc’s bending his back, winding it up to 145km/h to try break the Iftikhar/Rizwan union.

He’s hurrying the Pakistani batsmen, which is some feat on a dead pitch with an almost 60-overs old pink ball.

But the Pakistan Nos 6 and 7 are hanging in there in the face of the Starc and Cummins assault.

After 59 overs, the tourists are 5-181, with Iftikhar and Rizwan both on 17.

The Australian lead is down to 106.

Adrian McMurray 5.05pm: Another chance put down

There’s a lifeline for Iftikhar on 10, as he edges to the slips but is put down by Smith, the ball dropping short of the former captain. That would’ve been Starc’s second for the innings, and eighth overall, but it’s not to be. Pakistan 5-173.

Andrew Faulkner 4.40pm: Victory before dinner?

Lyon has struck in the opening session to get both the overnight batsmen and lead his team closer to a 2-0 series win.

At tea, Pakistan are 5-167, with Iftikhar and Rizwan both on 10.

Lyon removed Shafiq – the best of the remaining Pakistan batsmen today – for 57 courtesy of a fine Warner catch at leg-slip.

He’s set to bowl his side to a victory that might even be sealed by the dinner break.

Nathan Lyon celebrates with teammates on day four. Picture: AFP
Nathan Lyon celebrates with teammates on day four. Picture: AFP

4.12pm: Lyon at the double

Lyon grabs his second of the day, Warner pulling off a handy catch to send Shafiq on his way for 57. Pakistan 5-154.

Andrew Faulkner 3.40pm: Lyon gets the breakthrough

After more than 90 barren minutes, the drought has broken.

And after taking some punishment, Lyon has made the crucial breakthrough.

Masood (68 from 127 balls, eight fours and a six) has thumped Lyon straight to Starc’s safe hands at deep mid-off.

The wicket ended a 103-stand by Masood and Shafiq, who’s 35 not out.

Iftikhar has joined Shafiq with the score 4-123.

Andrew Faulkner 3.08pm: Work to do for Paine and co

Masood is warming to his work as he and Shafiq continue to defy the Australian attack.

The left-hander brought up his 50 (96 balls, six fours and a six) with a punishing on-drive to the rope.

Earlier he advanced to plonk Lyon for six in the same direction.

After an hour’s play, the tourists are 3-103, with Masood 63 and Shafiq 24.

Paine’s starting to get funky with the fields, posting short-squares and midwickets for the quicks.

That underlines how the pitch is sound and true – the drop-in doesn’t break up – but there is some spin there for Lyon.

However the batsmen are using their feet well – skipping down and rocking back – to blunt his method.

Paine and his men have some work to do.

Shaan Masood of Pakistan bats during day 4 of the second Test between Australia and Pakistan. Picture: AAP
Shaan Masood of Pakistan bats during day 4 of the second Test between Australia and Pakistan. Picture: AAP

2.57pm: Shaan brings up 50

Andrew Faulkner 2.28pm: Pakistan defiant on day four

So far, so good for the tourists, who’ve looked comfortable in keeping out the first five overs today.

Cummins and Starc have made the batsmen play at almost every ball but Masood (30) and Shafiq (eight) have been stout and resolute.

The surface is benign enough to persuade Masood to swivel into a lovely pull to bring up the 50.

Starc banged the next ball in again, and Masood played an even crisper pull to take the score to 3-55.

Andrew Faulkner 1.30pm: Day 4 preview

The weather has again been kind to the second Test. Having disgorged 5mm overnight, the clouds are drifting off to the northeast.

The ground’s drying under the sun and a stiff breeze, so play should start as scheduled at 1.30pm local time.

Trailing by 248 runs with seven wickets remaining, the task for Pakistan is as clear as it is gargantuan — bat five sessions to save the Test.

Only one of their three best batsmen remain. Azhar Ali and Babar Azam are gone, leaving Asad Shafiq to score the big rearguard hundred Pakistan needs to carve runs off the deficit.

Shan Masood has shown grit to eke 14 from 55 balls; he needs to do that again and again and again even for Pakistan to take the Test into a fifth day.

1pm: Shah the best and worst of Pakistan

It says something about Pakistan’s dreadful tour of Australia that legspinner Yasir Shah has their best batting average and worst bowling average. Because as good as Yasir’s maiden Test century was against Australia on Sunday, it is far from his job in Pakistan’s team.

Left to come in at 6-89 late on Saturday night, Yasir outperformed every one of the seven batsmen above him with his 113 at the Adelaide Oval. In doing so, he became the oldest Pakistani to score a maiden Test century and took his average for the tour to 60.33 after the first-innings knock.

The only problem? His bowling average for the series is almost double that — sitting at 100.5 after having claimed four scalps but got for 402 runs. It’s part of the reason why Pakistan are staring at a second straight innings defeat come day four in Adelaide.

Yasir Shah has struggled with the ball in this series. Picture: AFP
Yasir Shah has struggled with the ball in this series. Picture: AFP

Yasir was meant to be Pakistan’s most experienced bowler, ready to bounce back from a tough tour last time he visited in 2016-17. Instead, he will return home with figures of 0-197 in Adelaide having gone at more than a run a ball in Australia’s first-innings blitz.

“I was trying to perform at my best even the last time I came here,” Yasir said. “It’s every spinner’s wish to do well in Australia because that raises your image and profile.

“I’ve put in a lot of hard-work. I was the top wicket-taker in domestic cricket.

“The last time I bowled too fast. And I was bowling at a faster pace than what I wanted to here too and I didn’t use my variations well.

“David Warner played really well to score a triple-ton. He didn’t let me settle and get my lines and lengths. And at times, he even scored runs off our good balls.”

AAP

1pm: Starc reminder of quick’s potency

After a near-invisible Ashes series, some thought Mitchell Starc may disappear completely from Test cricket. But the thought never crossed the mind of the man himself.

Starc played just one of the five Tests in England. And after that one, he was dumped for the fifth and deciding fixture.

Mitchell Starc wore this wristband yesterday … and it certainly worked a treat, because he did exactly what it said. Picture: AAP
Mitchell Starc wore this wristband yesterday … and it certainly worked a treat, because he did exactly what it said. Picture: AAP

Many pundits considered Starc, aged 29, was closer to the scrapheap than the top of the pile where he’d spent nigh on eight years. But not Starc.

“Never really come into my thought process,” he said of the prospect. Starc returned to Australia and changed his action and, crucially, his mind. Instead of following the espoused Ashes theory of Australia’s fast bowlers — be economical, be consistent, hit a length — Starc thought differently. Yesterday, he even wore a wristband reminding him exactly what he believed he needed to do … bowl fast.

“What we spoke a fair bit about in the UK tour, the bowling group was heavily focused on economy rates and hitting a length — back of a length, a really good length — for a long amount of time,” Starc said.

“Which the guys did phenomenally well throughout the Ashes. It was something I worked a fair bit on in the nets there.

“But then coming back to Australia, that first (Sheffield Shield) game, I felt like I perhaps dropped a little bit of pace being too heavily focused on that. So now, it’s a bit of that focus along with still having a bit of speed focus as well.”

The recalibration of mind has worked wonders — Starc claimed his second-best Test figures of 6-66 in Pakistan’s first innings in the second Test yesterday. He added another victim in the second dig and will spearhead Australia’s bid for a knockout on day four when the tourists resume, on the ropes, at 3-39. The left-armer’s Adelaide haul followed seven wickets over two digs in the series opener.

AAP

12/30pm: Australia v Pakistan — Day 3 recap

SCORE
■ Australia 3(dec)-589 versus Pakistan 302 and 3-39

SUMMARY
■ Australia have continued their dominance despite stubborn first-innings resistance from Pakistani bats Babar Azam (97) and Yasir Shah (113). The Aussies enforced the follow-on and then made inroads to sit on the cusp of a win for a 2-0 series sweep.

MAN OF THE MOMENT
■ Pakistan’s Shah. Apologies to Australian quick Mitchell Starc, who took his second-best Test figures of 6-66 in the tourist’s first dig, but Shah’s maiden Test century lifts his nation from cricket’s doldrums. Shah averaged 12 and had a top score of 42 when he went out to bat at No 8. But, aided by some tardy fielding, he became the oldest Pakistani to score a maiden Test century.

KEY MOMENT
■ Babar’s second dismissal of the day-night. He’d followed his 104 in the second innings in Brisbane with 97 in the first dig in Adelaide and loomed as the man able to stall Australia’s victory push. But Babar, on eight, edged a Josh Hazlewood delivery to the ‘keeper and any hope of a Pakistan miracle survival went with him.

STAT OF THE DAY
■ Six. The number of times Australia has enforced the follow-on from 27 chances since 2004.

QUOTE OF THE DAY
■ “We’re seven wickets away from another Test match victory so another really positive day.” Australian paceman Starc.

AAP

Add your comment to this story

To join the conversation, please Don't have an account? Register

Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout

More related stories

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/cricket/australia-v-pakistan-live-coverage-scores-of-day-4-of-second-test-at-adelaide-oval/news-story/2eae47b69f7d945722de86ebe9884dfd