Charitable Pakistan hand Australia Sydney win

Test matches are not won in a day and Australia provided a stunning example of it in Sydney. The ever charitable Pakistan were at the receiving end of it. After dominating proceedings for the first three days, the visitors stumbled on the fourth, falling 36 runs short against a target of 176 with over a day to go.

The hosts would not have believed their luck, coming to bowl after a super century by Michael Hussey (134*) and a heroic 38 from fast man Peter Siddle. Combining together at 257-8 on day three, the two men put on 123, although Siddle was given a life today by Kamran Akmal that punctuated his miserable series behind the stumps. While all the rave was about Hussey's knock and his supposed rebirth in test cricket, Siddle deserves more than a pat on the back for his effort. His innings symbolised Australian cricket's spirit, something that has remained present for the past two decades. It also drove home the point that no matter how inexperienced or fragile an Aussie side might seem, they know how to win. After Siddle was dismissed and Doug Bollinger in quick succession, Imran Farhat and Salman Butt walked out chasing a meagre total with over a 100 overs to play, at least.

The Pakistani openers started in customary fashion and for a moment it looked as if a struggle of 15 years was finally going to pay a reward. Their partnership of 34, although nothing to boast about, was big in terms of the target on hand and the ease with which it was achieved. Even as Farhat fell for 22, followed by Faisal Iqbal and Butt for 7 and 21 respectively, things didn't seem too bad. Mohammad Yousuf and Kamran Akmal's presence at the wicket would have given a lot of comfort to the visiting fans, especially as they eased through Nathan Hauritz’s spell before tea to take their side to 77-3. Yousuf creamed the off-spinner thrice for fours going into tea and at that point it seemed like a tactic to derail the opposition before going into a break. The Pakistani captain, however, continued in the same vein, or at least attempted to when he scorched a straight drive right into Hauritz’s left thumb en route to his chest. The bowler held on, blood, broken nail and damaged bone all withstanding. That was a heroic moment, the kind of moment that deflates the opposition and unnerves the shed. There have been quite a few tales of perseverance and 'magic' through the course of the two test matches between Pakistan and Australia but none greater than Hauritz's, a man with seemingly ordinary skill and a lot of humility. He's transformed from a 'should we play him' or 'should we not' to a certainty in the Aussie squad purely for his courage.

Yousuf's departure and Misbah-ul-Haq's formality, which was over after two balls, put the onus squarely on Umar Akmal who not only had the responsibility of scoring the runs put also to protect the tail, which now well and truly includes his brother Kamran. Kamran, as predicted, was the first to go after flirting with danger on many occasions. His misery and the 'oh ah' moments were finally over when he edged a Mitchell Johnson delivery to Brad Haddin.

Mohammad Sami offered resistance and the younger Akmal, who was forced to go for the runs did a fine job with him. He scored 49 off 81 balls, a very patient knock by his standards. Sami's departure left him with no option though and he was dismissed attempting a big shot of Bollinger only to be caught by Johnson who took a great running catch over his shoulder.

Umar Gul and Danish Kaneria played around a bit, but clearly the game had been lost by their batsmen. Kaneria went first and then Gul whose wicket prompted great celebrations at the SCG. It was relief and joy mixed into one, particularly for Ricky Ponting who had faced a lot of flak for his decision to bat first on a green wicket. Memories of the first day were all but wiped clean by a superb effort by the home team, one that is still the top side in the world, although unofficially.

Johnson picked up three wickets, Bollinger two and Hauritz another five-wicket haul against Pakistan, this time a career best 5/53. Already, the critics are calling the Sydney turnarounds one of the most memorable wins for Australia. It was hard earned against a Pakistani side that bowled brilliantly but batted and fielded like club cricketers. They have a lot to learn from Australia and although getting motivated for the Hobart test after such an agonising defeat will be hard, they will have realised a five day game cannot be won by doing well in sessions.