Australia crushes Pakistan by 360 runs in first Test, Nathan Lyon takes 500th wicket
Nathan Lyon says he plans to celebrate in a style befitting Australia’s most prolific Test bowler Shane Warne after breaking through for his 500th wicket in a crushing win over Pakistan.
Nathan Lyon broke through for his 500th Test wicket as Pakistan folded like the president of an envelope society as Australia surged to a 1-0 series lead inside four days at Optus Stadium.
Needing to break the two-decade-old world record for the highest successful fourth innings chase in a Test, the tourists provided next to no resistance in notional pursuit of 450, with Australia’s quicks running riot to inflict what was a 15th consecutive defeat for Pakistan in Tests on Australian soil.
The pace ascendancy meant Lyon was made to wait to join Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath in the 500 club. The off-spinner needed just one Pakistani scalp but hadn’t broken through well into the final session on day four despite several close calls.
But the moment finally came when the Aussies went upstairs after an lbw shout to remove Faheem Ashfraf on five was initially turned down by umpire Richard Illingworth. Three red lights on the Optus big screen sparked jubilation for Lyon and his teammates, and left Pakistan languishing seven down.
“I was pretty confident about it...thankfully it was three reds,” Lyon told Fox.
Lyon later said he would celebrate “in Warnie fashion”.
It took Lyon just four balls to claim No. 501, with Aamer Jamal bowled by one that kept low for four. Josh Hazlewood cleaned up the last couple to secure the World Test Champions a 360-run win, Pakistan bowled out for an embarrassing 89.
Pakistan had earlier left the Aussies bruised after a volatile Perth pitch gave Australian team medicos ample cause to make their way to the middle.
But if some of the Aussies were sore, it was Pakistan feeling very sorry, with the tourists now needing a miracle turnaround at the festive period Tests to claim the Benaud-Qadir Trophy for the first time.
Australia started the day 300 runs ahead, with Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne both cleared of serious injury after bearing the brunt of the venomous deck on day three.
They weren’t the last of the Aussies to cop it though, with Usman Khawaja and Mitch Marsh both wearing short stuff as Pakistan bore in.
It was to little avail though as Khawaja (90) and Marsh (63 not out) catapulted Australia to 5-233 before Pat Cummins declared not long after lunch when the opener holed out to deep third off Shaheen Shah Afridi.
It left Pakistan needing either to bat the best part of five sessions to save the game or beat the West Indies’ longstanding record of 418 set in the Caribbean in early 2003.
Both goals looked ambitious, not least because of the conditions, and so it proved.
Having fought valiantly in their first innings, the tourists all but put up the white flag in their chase.
After spraying the second new ball on Saturday, Mitchell Starc was back to his best, drawing an early edge to remove opener Abdullah Shafique for two.
Pakistan skipper Shan Masood (two) continued a horror day in which he dropped a sitter to provide a reprieve for Marsh by edging one from Hazlewood, before Starc thundered one into Imam-ul-Haq’s pads to remove the other opener for two.
Trump card Babar Azam nicked off to Cummins for 14 before Starc made the most of the pitch’s bite to send Sarfaraz Ahmed on his way for four, caught by Marsh at gully.
A diabolical mix-up between Saud Shakeel and Agha Salman (five) left the latter well short, providing the comedy run out that every proper collapse ought to contain.
Pakistan has been afforded a bonus two-day tour match against a Victorian XI in the lead-up to the Boxing Day Test however it will take much more than a bit of batting practice at the Junction Oval for Shan’s side to be a real chance of leveling the series.
Smith fell early in the day, gone for 45 to Khurram Shahzad after an agonisingly close umpire’s call lbw decision went against the batter, a call that left the former captain visibly displeased.
DAY FOUR LIVE
With Tim Michell
7.44PM: MAN OF THE MATCH — MITCH MARSH
7.32PM: AUSTRALIA WINS
Shahzad edges his first ball to David Warner at slip, Josh Hazlewood has two in two balls and Australia wins by 360 runs. Pakistan is all out for 89.
Speaking to Fox Cricket post-match, Lyon says: “It’s something I’m pretty proud about...500 wickets is a bloody long way away. Quite hard work but something I’m very proud about.
“I was pretty confident (about the review)...it was just whether it was sliding down leg. Thankfully it was three reds.
“Doesn’t matter where we are 500 wickets are pretty amazing.”
Pat Cummins tells Fox Cricket: “Great start to the summer...everything fell into place.”
7.31PM: SHAKEEL LBW
The end is nigh.
Josh Hazlewood gets one to keep low off a length and it was crashing into leg stump.
7.18PM: WICKET 501 FOR LYON
The floodgates are open.
Lyon has another wicket, clean bowling Jamal. Pakistan is 8-83 and it won’t be long before Lyon is toasting his achievement.
7.15PM: LYON SNARES 500TH WICKET
There it is! Nathan Lyon has his 500th Test wicket, becoming the third Australian after Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath to the milestone.
Pat Cummins reviews an lbw shout which was turned down and the replay goes in Lyon’s favour.
What a moment.
7.05PM: AUSTRALIA HOLDS ITS BREATH ON DRS CALL
Pat Cummins took a look at what Steve Smith was convinced was an edge behind from Faheem Ashraf which would have been Nathan Lyon’s 500th wicket.
But there was nothing on hotspot or snicko.
The wait rolls on.
6.54PM: LYON BACK ON
We forgive you for those 21 minutes without Lyon Pat.
6.43PM: RUN OUT DISASTER
What a mess.
Shakeel hits a ball to short fine leg, Salman takes off and gets halfway down the track befitr being sent back.
Replays showed Shakeel took a few steps down the track which fooled his partner and left him a long way short when he turned around and tried to remake his ground.
Shakeel’s calling and running between the wickets has left a lot to be desired.
Four left, can Lyon get one?
6.33PM: LYON OUT OF THE ATTACK
Pat please.
6.30PM: STARC HAS A THIRD
The calls for Mohammad Rizwan are only going to go louder after Sarfaraz Ahmed goes cheaply again.
The wicketkeeper has no answers for a rising Mitch Starc delivery and the left-armer has 3-19.
I think we can safely say, this is ending on day four.
There are only five wickets left for Nathan Lyon and this is getting a bit close for comfort.
6.20PM: SLACK PAKISTAN RUNNING SLAMMED
Max Stainkamph
Michael Vaughan has slammed Pakistan’s running between the wickets which resulted in itsbest batter ending up back in the sheds just before the tea break.
Babar Azam was stuck on strike to face Australian skipper Pat Cummins — and eventually dismissed — after several easy singles going begging.
Former English skipper Michael Vaughan said Babar would be filthy with his teammate Saud Shakeel.
“Babar Azam goes for a few quick singles and is turned down and he says to his partner at the other end come on mate, you’ve got to back up for me’ BabAr stays down the end with Pat Cummins and is on strike and gets out,” he said on Fox Cricket.
6.03PM: TEA — PAKISTAN 4-53
Nathan Lyon watch will continue in about 20 minutes as Australia closes in on victory in the first Test in Perth.
For now, here’s a reminder of the incredible honour roll of bowlers with 500 Test wickets.
5.54PM: CUMMINS GETS BABAR
Pat Cummins gets a ball to leap at Babar Azam, it takes the glove and Alex Carey does the rest.
Pakistan is 4-48 and it’s short odds this match is over on day four now.
“Could be over today,” Pakistan legend Wasim Akram concedes on Fox Cricket.
5.49PM: LYON DENIED
Nathan Lyon is down on his knees pleading for an lbw against Shakeel, but Richard Illingworth says no.
Australia chooses not to review and replays show it was heading just over the stumps.
Pat Cummins can breathe a sigh of relief.
5.40PM: GOAT IS ON
Nathan Lyon is into the attack — this is not a drill.
5.35PM: MARSH — ‘I’M NOT AN OPENER’
Less than 24 hours after declaring he was “reluctant” to leave the No.6 spot in Australia’s batting line-up, Mitch Marsh has doubled down.
Marsh has been touted as a potential replacement for David Warner at the top of the order after his renaissance in Test cricket.
The West Australian has opened the batting with success in white-ball cricket.
But asked again about his opening ambitions, he told SEN: “I just don’t think I’m an opener, to be honest. I have worked hard to get back into this team...the way I’m playing No.6 is a good spot for me.
“There’s obviously decisions to be made post-Davey...I’ll bat anywhere I’m told.”
5.16PM: PAKISTAN IN TATTERS, IMAM OUT LBW
There might not be a wicket left for Nathan Lyon at this rate.
Mitch Starc grabs his second, trapping Imam-ul-Haq lbw.
The Pakistan opener reviewed but the ball was hitting middle stump about three quarters of the way up.
“It doesn’t get any plumber than that,” says Mark Waugh in commentary on Fox Cricket.
5.09PM: PAKISTAN CAPTAIN ‘HASN’T LEARNED’
Josh Hazlewood has the big wicket of Pakistan captain Shan Masood.
Masood attempted a big drive and fathered the ball through to Alex Carey in a similar dismissal to the first innings.
Michael Vaughan said on Fox Cricket Masood “hasn’t learned”.
“It’s just not there to drive...it’s a poor shot from the Pakistani captain,” Vaughan says.
Earlier, Simon Katich told SEN Cricket he sensed the Test could finish today.
Katich said: “It could (finish today)… you have that sense about it, particularly if Australia knocks the two openers over in the first 5-10 overs.
“They blunted that new ball in the first innings but if they’re two down for not many, that middle order is going to be under huge pressure facing the new ball against this attack wanting to finish the job (and) wanting to get a bonus day off.”
5.05PM: TEST TOUR NO HONEYMOON FOR IMAM
Most people like to take the opportunity to relax on honeymoon.
But, when you’re an international cricketer with a tour planned, that’s not really an option.
Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq was married only weeks before the Test series against Australia in an event attended by many of his teammates.
And his tour has no far been anything but relaxing, facing 199 balls in the first innings and taking on the new ball today on a menacing day four wicket.
“It’s really hard work as an opening batsman coming to Australia, so I don’t think it’s the right place for a honeymoon,” he told ABC Radio.
“But it’s just so far going so good. I guess she’s enjoying and she watched me bat the whole day. So it was a nervy, nervy time for her as well. But it’s OK. We can enjoy now.”
4.47PM: STARC GETS SHAFIQUE
Mitchell Starc has been on the money in the first over and takes only six balls to claim the first wicket.
Shafique tries to defend but Starc angles the ball away from him and Alex Carey does the rest.
“That’s a terrific opening over. High class,” says Adam Gilchrist on Fox Cricket.
“Just what Mitchell Starc needed,” adds Mike Hussey.
4.45PM: O’KEEFFE’S PREDICTION FOR LYON 500
While the Aussie quicks have the ball for now, really everyone is waiting for Nathan Lyon as his chance to reach 500 Test wickets.
Let’s see how much of an oracle Kerry O’Keeffe is.
This was his prediction on Fox Cricket earlier:“Shan Masood looking to work to leg, leading edge, caught and bowled Lyon, the GOAT does it all himself. Cue screaming commentators, memorabilia addicts and a standing O.”
4.33PM: KHAWAJA CAUGHT, AUSTRALIA DECLARES AT 5-233
Usman Khawaja was sent out in T20 mode to chase a hundred but has fallen 10 short.
The Aussie batter took 151 balls to get to 50 then went at better than a run a ball to finish with 90 from 190 balls.
Mitch Marsh was 63 not out off 69 balls when Pat Cummins pulled the pin with Australia 5-233 and leading by 449 runs.
4.30PM: ‘HE’S THAT GOOD’ — COULD LYON REACH WARNE’S 708?
Michael Vaughan has boldly predicted Nathan Lyon could push Shane Warne to finish his career as Australia’s most prolific Test bowler.
The spotlight is on Lyon in Perth with the off-spinner likely to take his 500th wicket on day four as Australia nears a declaration.
Lyon will join Warne (708 wickets) and Glenn McGrath (563) as the only Aussies in the 500 club.
But Vaughan said it would not be long before Lyon’s 600th wicket was being discussed.
“He’s world class. He’ll get his 500, no doubt. It may come this afternoon,” Vaughan told Fox Cricket.
“He’s a world-class operator. And I think there’s plenty more left in the tank.
“It’s not going to be long before you start talking about the 600th. It may be in the distant future but it might be that you start talking about Shane Warne, 708 (wickets).
“I think he’s that good. As long as his body stays fine. He had that horrific calf problem in the Ashes. If his body stays fine I see another three or four years left.”
4.15PM: LYON ON 500TH WICKET
Nathan Lyon is the man of the moment in Perth as the crowd waits for him to get his chance for a 500th Test wicket.
But the GOAT has been keen to deflect focus today in TV interviews with Fox Cricket and Channel 7.
He was asked to predict how the wicket would play out by Channel 7, telling the commentators: “I don’t care how it comes. If I can play my role and enjoy it, it’s a pretty special moment. Got some family here which is even more special.”
Lyon will join Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath as the only Australians in the 500 club.
“Some pretty incredible names around world cricket who have taken over 500 wickets. But the Australians, for me to edge up closer to Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne, in my eyes Shane Warne is the GOAT of cricket all around the world,” he said.
“To be closer to them is nice. Pretty special to be honest.”
4PM: NO DECLARATION — YET
Australia has chosen to bat on rather than declare at lunch.
Usman Khawaja and Mitch Marsh will attempt to continue to grow the lead, which stands at 402.
“Maybe they’ll go for another 50 runs or Usman Khawaja is 32 away from his hundred, they might wait to see that one out,” Mark Waugh says on Fox Cricket.
“Whatever the case is, this wicket is getting tougher and tougher to bat on.”
3.24PM: LUNCH — AUSTRALIA 4-186, LEADS BY 402
A gutsy hand from Usman Khawaja and the Mitch Marsh power Australia has become accustomed to have combined to lift the lead beyond 400 at lunch on day four.
Khawaja went to the sheds at 68 from 173 balls after registering the second-slowest fifty of his Test career.
You would be hard pressed to find anyone who would complain about the scoring rate though considering how difficult Pakistan’s bowlers, and the Perth pitch, have made batting.
Khawaja survived an lbw call on review, while Mitch Marsh was almost struck on the glove and caught behind first ball of his innings.
Marsh was also dropped by Pakistan captain Shan Masood and is 42 from 50 balls.
Surely a declaration is close now.
2.55PM: WHEN WILL AUSSIES DECLARE?
Australia’s lead is already beyond 350 runs and with lunch approaching, a declaration must be close.
Nathan Lyon told Channel 7 not long ago that there were no signs of an imminent call from Pat Cummins though.
There has been plenty happening in the last half hour, with Usman Khawaja struck on the elbow, Mitch Marsh hit on the helmet and the Aussie all-rounder dropped by Pakistan captain Shan Masood.
Mike Hussey told Fox Cricket before play: “If I am being honest, I feel as though Australia have enough runs on the board now,” he said.
“I think about (a) 300-run lead is pretty good on this particular pitch. I don’t think it has been chased down before. Maybe the Windies might have got 330 last year in the last innings.
“The Aussies will look to bat until at least lunch. Be really positive.”
Hussey also added: “If they gave themselves a full day plus two sessions, I think that would be ample time. I would be thinking maybe around lunch time, maybe an hour after lunch.”
2.40PM: ‘HAVOC’ FEARS AMID REPORTS OF NEW IPL WINDOW
Australian Cricketers Association boss Todd Greenberg has warned of “havoc” in international cricket if a mooted T10 League is launched in India next year.
Reports in recent days have suggested a two-tiered competition is in the works and could be played for the first time across September and October next year.
There have been suggestions it could mean some elite players would be involved in IPL competitions for up to six months of the year across the T10 and T20 leagues.
“My first impression was it was certainly no surprise. This has been building for some time in our view and it was always going to be an additional window which is going to create havoc, I think, on bilateral cricket and the rest of the cricketing communities,” Greenberg said on SEN.
“It’s a real challenge and it’s not something I think you can just simply take a short-term view on. I genuinely think we need to be concious of ensuring that all of international cricket need to continue to play really meaningful cricket.”
He later added: “This will be difficult. It will be obviously lucrative for the very, very elite players. But it will put enormous pressure on boards and bilateral cricket all over the world.”
Greenberg said having Australia’s top players available to feature in the domestic summer and BBL was already a challenge.
“We have got to ensure when we are setting our schedule we are playing meaningful cricket,” he said.
2.25PM: OFFICIAL UPDATE ON LABUSCHAGNE
Daniel Cherny in Perth has provided this official Cricket Australia update on Marnus Labuschagne’s finger: “An x-ray taken last night did not demonstrate any visible fracture. Marnus was able to bat unhindered in the nets this morning.”
Earlier today, there was plenty of chat about what might happen if Labuschagne missed Boxing Day, ranging from picking Matt Renshaw at No.3 to Cameron Green coming back into the team as a top-order batter.
“There’s been talk about him batting up the order, potentially even opening when David Warner retires in a couple of Test matches’ time,” Mike Hussey said on Fox Cricket of Green. “There might be an opportunity for him to bat at No.3, they’ll get a bit of an idea about whether he can handle that position and give him that opportunity.
“I’d say that’d be the logical decision but I’m sure if Marnus was ruled out then they’ll have a pretty big discussion about some other candidates as well.”
It won’t matter now, but it would have been another intriguing sub plot in the race to replafe Warner if the No.3 spot had become vacant for the MCG.
2.10PM: KHAWAJA SURVIVES ON REVIEW
Now Usman Khawaja is given out — but the review saves him.
Khawaja was hit on the pad by Jamal and to the naked eye it looked plumb.
But ball tracking shows it (just) struck Khawaja outside off stump and he will bat on.
“It is not easy out there,” says Ian Smith on Fox Cricket.
2.08PM: MARSH NOT OUT ON REVIEW
Boy, that was close.
Mitch Marsh was given not out on review after Pakistan thought it had the local hero caught behind first ball.
Marsh tried to pull his first ball from Jamal but it was a bit close, catching him on the forearm close to the glove.
However, the third umpire could not be convinced it took any glove and upheld Joel Wilson’s not out call.
2.04PM: HEAD CAUGHT
Now Travis Head is gone.
He throws the kitchen sink at a ball from Aamir Jamal and is caught at cover by a jumping Imam-ul-Haq.
Australia is 4-107 and leading by 323.
Maybe we won’t need to worry about when the declaration is coming after all...
1.36PM: SMITH LBW, UMPIRE’S CALL ON REVIEW
Steve Smith has to go after being given out lbw off the bowling of Khurram Shahzad.
He reviewed and replays showed the ball was clipping the top of the stumps.
Smith appeared less than impressed with the DRS call, shaking his head and looking toward umpire Joel Wilson on his way off.
One fan tweeted: “That is the most ridiculous lbw decision I have ever seen. The ball was going over the stumps and he is given out??? Since when??? Smith was NOT out.”
Damien Fleming said on SEN: “Logically you could argue it wouldn’t have dislodged the bails.”
1.25PM: ‘WHERE’S THE FEAR FACTOR?’ — PAKISTAN’S BIZARRE START
After all the talk about the pitch — and the success of Pakistan’s short-pitched bowling — Shan Masood chose to start the day with the part-time spin of Salman Ali Agha.
It was a decision which certainly raised eyebrows, with Damien Fleming telling SEN: “Where’s the fear factor?”.
1.05PM: LYON’S FOCUS NOT ON MILESTONE AS 500 LOOMS
Nathan Lyon says he was “pretty happy” for Travis Head to take the wicket which stopped him reaching 500 Test scalps on day three in Perth.
Head’s part-time off-spin took the 10th and final wicket of Pakistan’s first innings, leaving Lyon stuck on 499.
But the legendary off-spinner is likely to reach the mark today and join Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath in an exclusive club of bowlers.
“I was pretty happy for (Travis) as well. My big focus is obviously 10 wickets for the team,” he told Fox Cricket.
“If we can do that as a bowling unit that means we’re winning games of cricket. Obviously 500 is a nice little milestone, well it’s not little, it’s something I’ll be extremely proud about. But still a lot of work to do.”
12.30PM: MARNUS CLEARED AMID WORRYING PITCH FEARS
Marnus Labuschagne has been cleared of serious injury after being sent for scans following a nasty blow during the first Test.
The Australian No. 3 received medical attention after the little finger on his right hand was struck by Pakistan seamer Khurram Shahzad during the Queenslander’s brief innings on Saturday.
However it’s understood Labuschagne, though sore, has not been badly injured.
Steve Smith is also in the clear after being struck on the forearm while batting.
Both Labuschagne and Smith batted in the Optus Stadium nets before play on day four.
12PM: HAZLEWOOD’S GRIM PITCH-WARNING FOR PAKISTAN
Josh Hazlewood has warned Pakistan’s batters things are only going to get tougher from here on a Perth pitch providing plenty of encouragement to go short.Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith both required attention from the physios on day three as Pakistan’s quicks made the most of a quickly cracking pitch.
While a battered and bruised Smith made it stumps unbeaten, Labuschagne’s innings came to a close shortly after being struck on the right pinky and he was expected to have the digit scanned on Sunday.
“Batting looked pretty tough there at the end,” Hazlewood said. “As the game goes along I think the cracks will come more into play.”
“I think anyone who walks out there and bats is pretty brave,” he later added. “It’s probably going to get tougher to play the short ball than the first innings.
“The last innings Pakistan just sort of ducked under and knew it was going over the top. With the up and down movement that could be a play I guess in the second innings potentially. I still think there’s enough there on the front foot to take 10 wickets as well.”
11AM: HEAD’S SPIN ON DENYING LYON WICKET NO.500
When the part-time finger-spin of Travis Head tempted Shaheen Afridi into a doomed drive, a collective sigh was let out across the nation.
Saturday would not be the day for Nathan Lyon’s historic 500th Test wicket.
The off-spinner finished Pakistan’s first innings with figures of 3-66 and his career tally sitting at a frustrating 499.
He shouldn’t have to wait too long for a chance at No.500, with seamer Josh Hazlewood tipping an early declaration.
“For me, probably the general idea would be halfway through the day tomorrow (to declare), could be earlier or later but that will be the rough guide,” Hazlewood said after day three.
Touching on Head’s unwitting role in extending Lyon’s wait, Hazlewood said: “I think Travis said, ‘when they replay your 500th wicket you don’t want it to be a tailender, you want it to be a good wicket up the top (of the order).
“So we’ll see that for the second innings hopefully.”
Another catch from Khawaja, and Travis Head grabs his 10th test wicket!
— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) December 16, 2023
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9.30AM: EX-TEST CAPTAIN’S GRIM OUTLOOK FOR PAKISTAN
Former England captain Michael Vaughan has painted a bleak picture for Pakistan as it tries to fight its way back into the Test series against Australia.
Speaking late on day three as Australia’s lead neared 300, Vaughan said Pakistan had “given it everything” but still faced a significant fourth-innings chase.
And if his outlook is right, Pakistan won’t last long on day four when its turn comes to bat.
“I reckon that 271 was as well as they can bat,” Vaughan said on Fox Cricket.
“The way that the Australians bowled and I think they had a bit of fortune – there was plenty of balls that went past the outside edge.
“With the ball in the first innings, apart that first session, I thought they were very good.
“Yet they still trail Australia by 295. They’ve given it everything. Just a gulf in class.”
Mark Waugh said a Babar Azam hundred was likely the only way Pakistan could provide a greater threat with the bat.
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