From humiliation to jubilation
FROM the rock bottom crisis that was the humiliation in Hobart, Australia are now on the verge of completing a resurrection as extraordinary as their fall.
Nine more Pakistan wickets today at the SCG will secure a 3-0 clean sweep that will feel even sweeter because of the unmitigated disaster from which it was born.
Chronic batting collapses have been replaced by runscoring heroics, with Australia’s blitzkrieg second innings of 2(dec)-241 off just 32 overs yesterday marking the fastest Test innings in history for more than 12 overs faced.
The run rate of nearly eight an over was rocket-launched by the spectacular feats of opener David Warner, who blasted 55 to post the second fastest half century in Test cricket of just 23 balls.
Record-breaking skipper Steve Smith also rattled off a rapid-fire 59 to ensure he joins Sir Donald Bradman, Herbert Sutcliffe and Jack Hobbs in the elite club of averaging more than 60 after 50 Test matches.
Usman Khawaja pumped out 79 not out, and not to be outdone Peter Handscomb peeled off an unbeaten 40 which takes his career average after four matches to a Bradmanesque 99.75.
Earlier in the summer selectors wielded the axe after crumbling to an innings defeat and series loss against South Africa at Bellerive Oval.
Five players were dumped as a result of the bloodletting that claimed selection chairman Rod Marsh, and it was over to a new-look panel headed by Trevor Hohns to gamble on a bold youth policy in a desperate bid to stop the rot and rescue Australia’s national team from embarrassment.
Suddenly five straight crushing defeats will become four consecutive emphatic triumphs, if Nathan Lyon can today spin Australia onwards to next month’s tour of India with a full head of steam.
Pakistan are 1-55, trailing by a mammoth 410 runs and Australian spearhead Josh Hazlewood admits the home dressing room is tingling at the prospect of icing their epic turnaround today.
“We’ll obviously look at that after tomorrow’s play however that turns out, but it’s been a good transition and good to be a part of it,” Hazlewood said.
“Some youngsters have come in and done their job fantastically really with Pete and (Matt) Renshaw.
“It’s a great feeling in the sheds at the moment and everyone is really enjoying the cricket we’re all playing together and enjoying each other’s company on the field and off it as well. It’s a really good change room at the moment.”
Warner’s innings was pure, breathtaking class, following on from his record hundred before lunch on day one.
The explosive opener slaughtered Pakistan’s Yasir Shah (1-124) by smashing eight fours and three sixes in a 50 that was bettered only for speed by opposition captain Misbah ul-Haq’s 21 ball effort back ironically against Australia back in 2014.
Australia can consolidate its place as No.2 in the world in Test cricket if they can secure a whitewash.
But the big challenge awaits with four Tests looming against India.
Leading spinner Lyon’s personal revival has in some ways mirrored the changed fortunes of the team, and after taking three wickets in the first innings and the late scalp of Sharjeel Khan (40) last night, the 29-year-old is again being backed to bowl Australia to victory today.
IT’S A GREAT FEELING IN THE SHEDS AT THE MOMENT AND EVERYONE IS REALLY ENJOYING THE CRICKET WE’RE ALL PLAYING TOGETHER JOSH HAZLEWOOD