Mitchell Marsh cops a bouncer flush on the helmet

Australia ticked all boxes and treated their fans to some brilliant cricket, moving 1-0 up in the three-match Test series against Pakistan who were caught off-guard and struggled to adjust to the tricky conditions. They would take this as a learning and look to put up a better show going ahead.

Australia gained a sizeable lead of 216 runs and it was always going to be a massive one with the pitch deteriorating. Another good show with the bat from Australia pushed Pakistan further on the back foot. Usman Khawaja and Mitchell Marsh scored fifties. Once the southpaw walked back on 90, Australia called for the declaration, setting Pakistan a massive target of 450. The Aussie bowlers ruled the roost and didn’t give the Pakistani batters any breathing space whatsoever. Nathan Lyon took his 500th Test wicket and the potent pacers had a feast.
On occasions, the Pakistan speed merchants proved a handful too, like when Mitchell Marsh was troubled by the searing bounce.