Australia v Pakistan 2009/10

Pakistan in Australia 2009-10

Tim Nielsen lauds fearless Nathan Hauritz

Dec 31, 2009: It was Hauritz's response to the aggressive batting of the Pakistanis which has impressed the Australian coach

Australia v Pakistan, 1st Test, Melbourne

Warne's advice was helpful - Nathan Hauritz

Dec 31, 2009: Having picked up his first five-wicket haul for Australia, Nathan Hauritz has declared his intentions to make the spinner's spot his own for a long time to come.

Australia v Pakistan, 1st Test, Melbourne

Johnson a first-rate first-change

Dec 31, 2009: Mitchell Johnson has done some wonderful things this year but his captain Ricky Ponting insists he has never bowled better than during this week's win over Pakistan in Melbourne

Australia v Pakistan, 1st Test, Melbourne, 5th day

Turning point for Nathan Hauritz

Dec 30, 2009: Ricky Ponting has predicted Nathan Hauritz's five-wicket haul at the MCG will be a career-turning moment for a spinner who was, only last week, challenged to stand up as a fourth-innings match-winner

Australia v Pakistan, 1st Test, Melbourne, 5th day

Mitchell Johnson's over "killed" us - Mohammad Yousuf

Dec 30, 2009: Mohammad Yousuf, the Pakistan captain, has admitted Mitchell Johnson's first over "killed" his team's chances of pulling off a successful chase

Australia v Pakistan, 1st Test, Melbourne, 5th day

Stunted development, but hope floats

Dec 30, 2009: The side is not inexperienced, just the development of many has been stunted from a lack of Tests

Australia v Pakistan, 1st Test, Melbourne, 5th day

Record-breaking Ponting hails 'outstanding' win

Dec 30, 2009: On a day when he broke the records for the most wins by any Test player and the most victories for an Australian captain, Ponting called the 170-run triumph over Pakistan the best in a long while

Australia v Pakistan, 1st Test, Melbourne, 5th day

Hauritz five seals Australian victory

Dec 30, 2009: The Australians rounded out 2009 with their most clinical final day bowling performance of the year to seal a 170 run victory over Pakistan

Australia v Pakistan, 1st Test, Melbourne, 4th day

Mohammad Aamer goes from strength to strength

Dec 29, 2009: Mohammad Aamer doesn't seem to lack much, not smarts, not pace and, after his maiden five-wicket haul at the MCG, certainly not confidence.

Australia v Pakistan, 1st Test, Melbourne, 4th day

Relieved Watson aware of tipping point

Dec 29, 2009: Shane Watson is lucky Pakistan are one of the worst fielding teams in world cricket as his first Test century was in the hands of Abdur Rauf, but only briefly

Australia v Pakistan, 1st Test, Melbourne, 4th day

Bolly's musical numbers

Dec 29, 2009: Plays of the Day from the fourth day of the first Test between Australia and Pakistan

Australia v Pakistan, 1st Test, Melbourne, 4th day

The rewards of resilience

Dec 29, 2009: Shane Watson has fought many struggles and his maiden century at the MCG will bring him enormous relief

Australia v Pakistan, 1st Test, Melbourne, 4th day

Stubborn Pakistan hold out for final day

Dec 29, 2009: Pakistan stubbornly refused to concede the first Test despite being set a would-be world record run chase

Australia v Pakistan, 1st Test, Melbourne, 3rd day

An old warrior reignites the spark

Dec 28, 2009: It may be nothing but a late swish against the inevitability of time, but Misbah-ul-Haq's defiant innings, sandwiched between two vibrant flushes of youth, gave the day a nice touch.

Australia v Pakistan, 1st Test, Melbourne, 3rd day

Pakistan send out SOS for Younis Khan

Dec 28, 2009: Pakistan's failings with the bat in Melbourne have prompted the team management to send out an SOS for Younis Khan

Australia v Pakistan, 1st Test, Melbourne, 3rd day

Australia back Shane Watson to break century jinx

Dec 28, 2009: Shane Watson went to bed on 64 and will be desperate to ensure that this innings is ultimately recorded as his first Test century, not his eighth Test half-century

Australia v Pakistan, 1st Test, Melbourne, 3rd day

Pakistan hopes rest on young shoulders

Dec 28, 2009: Pakistan must have many more moments with Umar Akmal and Mohammad Aamer at the centre if they are to stand a chance in the series.

Australia v Pakistan, 1st Test, Melbourne, 3rd day

Left-arm combination a find for Australia

Dec 28, 2009: Mitchell Johnson and Doug Bollinger are starting to form a particularly useful bowling combination

Australia v Pakistan, 1st Test, Melbourne, 3rd day

The day of the nightwatchmen

Dec 28, 2009: Plays of the day for the third day of the second Test between Australia and Pakistan at the MCG

Australia v Pakistan, 1st Test, Melbourne, 3rd day

Shane Watson restores Australian dominance

Dec 28, 2009: Mohammad Aamer breathed life into the Boxing Day Test with a spell of aggressive and precise pace bowling, but another half-century from the dependable Shane Watson restored Australia's position of dominance