January 18, 2010
HOBART: Mohammad Yousuf’s team lost the third Test with a big margin of 231 runs as Australia completed a clean sweep of the three-Test series, for four times in a row against Pakistan.
This was also Pakistan’s 12th successive defeat in a Test against the Aussies since 1999 and 27th overall in 55 Tests so far played between the two countries. Pakistan beat Australia for only eleven times while 17 matches ended in a draw.
Australia equalled the record for the most consecutive Test wins by any side over any other team, matching the 12-game streak currently held by Sri Lanka over Bangladesh.
Australia’s victory at Hobart’s Bellerive Oval came after lunch of the fifth and final day when they broke through some stubborn batting to bowl the tourists out for 206.
Pakistan needed huge 335 runs with six wickets in hand when they resumed the second innings at 103-4 with Khurram Manzoor on 23 and Shoaib Malik 18.
Pakistan lost two wickets for just 20 runs added to their overnight score as Shoaib was caught behind off Peter Siddle for 19 in the third over of the day and then debutant Sarfraz Ahmed fell in the similar fashion to his first innings dismissal, edging spinner Nathan Hauritz's first ball of his spell to Michael Clarke at slip.
However, Khurram with tail-ender Mohammad Aamer survived nearly 32 overs and added 66 runs for a seventh wicket stand.
Pakistan went to lunch at 168-6 with Khurram on 59, his third fifty in seven Tests, and Aamer on 12.
But after the break, Hauritz ended the resistance of Khurram who was caught behind by Brad Haddin after making a patient 77 off 239 balls.
Hauritz then got Umar Gul (0) out caught by Michael Clarke at first slip who took a great catch.
Mitchell Johnson (1-59) bowled Mohammad Asif (0) and later Peter Siddle bowled Danish Kaneria (1) to finish at 3-25.
Hauritz (3-30) was the leading bowler of the series with 18 wickets and took five in the second innings of the first two Tests.
Skipper Ricky Ponting was adjudged the man of the match for his 209 and 89 while Shane Watson won named man of the series for his 346 runs and five wickets.
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