A white hot David Warner continued to re-write the record books, slamming a 23-ball fifty, as Australia require nine wickets to claim the third Test against Pakistan in Sydney and complete a series whitewash.
At stumps on day 4, Pakistan were 55 for 1 with Azhar Ali 11 not out and night-watchman Yasir Shah unbeaten on 3. Needing 465 runs for an unlikely victory, Pakistan made a solid start with attacking opener Sharjeel Khan (40 from 38 balls) showcasing his talents with a slew of hard-hitting strokes.
However, almost inevitably, Sharjeel departed recklessly when he failed to flick Nathan Lyon’s off-spinning delivery over midwicket as stumps loomed. With play only starting after lunch due to another washed out opening session, Warner (55 from 27 balls) ran riot after Pakistan were bowled out for 315 midway through the second session. The left-hander smashed a 23-ball half-century, the fastest ever by an Australian, to highlight Australia’s astounding 241 for 2 from 32 overs against a flagging and dispirited Pakistani attack.
Continuing on from his opening session blitz on day one, Warner smashed the first ball of the innings to the boundary in a precursor of the carnage to follow. With spearhead Mohammad Amir off the field with a side strain, Pakistan were forced to open with Imran Khan and Yasir, who were both promptly smashed by Warner’s flashing blade. In Yasir’s second over, Warner smashed consecutive sixes followed by a duo of fours to pulverise the hapless legspinner who finished with the macabre figures of 1 for 124 from just 14 overs.
Imran’s innocuous medium pacers didn’t fare much better with Warner feasting on a diet of wayward bowling, smashing four consecutive boundaries as another historical feat was in his sights. Just missing Misbah-ul-Haq’s record achieved in 21 balls, Warner fittingly reached his 50 with a massive six off Yasir to easily break the 38-year-old Australian record held by Bruce Yardley which was off 29 balls.
There was an expectation that Warner was going to once again break the SCG record of fastest ton for the third time in the past 12 months, but it didn’t eventuate as he perished shortly after reaching his 50, bowled backing away trying to cut Wahab Riaz.
Warner’s dismissal did little to dampen Australia’s rollicking batting with Steve Smith in sublime touch, expertly piercing gaps fused with the occasional plunder over the top like when he smashed the beleaguered Yasir for six on the stroke of tea.
Smith, whose average has remained slightly a tick over the hallowed mark of 60,wasn’t quite as brutal as his deputy but, still, plundered runs at an impressive rate – scoring his fifty off just 38 balls. The Australian captain looked set for a third consecutive Test century but his rollicking 43-ball 59 ended when he gloved Yasir, who finally had some momentary relief.
Usman Khawaja, who was moved to open after Matt Renshaw was ruled out of the Test’s remainder with concussion, opened up after a slow start to end a highly successful summer unbeaten on 79 from 98 balls. When Smith declared midway through the final session, Handscomb had effortlessly raced to a 25-ball 40 to propel his average to an astounding mark of 99.75 after a dreamy first four Tests.
Earlier, persistent rain meant the first session was washed out for the second consecutive day. When play finally started after lunch, Pakistan were bowled out within the first hour with Younis Khan remaining unbeaten on 175 off 334 balls giving Australia a lead of 223 but Smith decided against enforcing the follow on.
After receiving a reprieve when dropped by wicketkeeper Matthew Wade, who was back on the field after recovering from illness, Younis continued his imperious form smashing Nathan Lyon for a six to race past 150.
Younis was well supported in a 51-run ninth wicket partnership by Yasir as the pair inched Pakistan towards the follow on target. However, Josh Hazelwood (4 for 55 from 27.3 overs) quickly ended the resistance by enticing Yasir’s nick to slip and then two balls later bowling the hapless Imran.
Pakistan did relatively well to only lose one wicket in 16 overs to end day four but one feels they are on the cusp of another series whitewash in Australia.
