Australia put pressure, ensured success through a man unsure of his future and in turn, it gave the Australian captain two unique records to celebrate.
ricky ponting 1
Australia go to Sydney as an unchanged squad was named for the second Test against Pakistan at the SCG. That was a result of the emphatic victory against Pakistan in the first Test at the MCG by 170 runs.
The win put in form command the rise of Nathan Hauritz as the team's premier spinner despite its critics and it ensured that despite the ignominy of being only the second captain in history to lose two Ashes series, Ricky Ponting now leads captains around with the most number of wins, forty-two, and also becomes the first player to be involved in ninety-three Test for his country.
But Australia could not have taken it lightly on the final day, with the enticing prospect of Pakistan having seven wickets in trying to chase down the remaining 252 of the 422 runs for an incredible win.
But Australia did get the breakthroughs at rather regular intervals even as the Pakistan captain, Mohammad Yousuf, tried to stand firm for sixty-three runs in a vain attempt. Mitchell Johnson's three wickets in the innings were almost as critical as Hauritz's five. Incidentally Pakistan were bowled out for the same score, 258, as they were in the first innings.
It translated into a fantastic win for Australia and for Ponting to ease the pain of a lost Ashes for 2009, and more promise to regaining that the top Test spot in 2010.
Aus Pak T 1 Days 2 & 3: Watson Breaks Test Ton Jinx, But Pakistan Not Out of It
Asif Plans to Reveal All of the "Drug Sham" In Time to Come
Aus Pak T 1 Day 2 Stumps: Are Ton Missing Australians Under a Mental Voodoo?
Aus Pak T 1 Day 1 Stumps: Another Day of Missed Tons for Host
Younis Wants Pakistan to Play Positive, Not Dirty
Indian Media Laps up Brawl in Perth Test
Apologetic Bollinger; Childish Watson; Kumble Allages, Bias Towards Australia
Ponting Worries About Image; Gayle Says Nothing Was Unexpected
NZ MP's Brother Involved in Racial Abuse of Pakistan Cricketers in Napier
Controversy: Yousuf-Pak Captain for Aus Tour, Younis Gives A-Miss, Fast Bowlers Scuffle
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