Opinion

Only India can compete in Australia: Vaughan after Australia hammer Pakistan

Written by Abhishek Patil

Former England captain Michael Vaughan said that only the Indian cricket team has the ‘tools’ to compete in Test cricket on Australian soil.

Vaughan made the comments after Pat Cummins and Co. beat Pakistan by 360 runs in the first Test at the Perth Stadium.

After being asked to chase down a mammoth target of 450, Pakistan were bowled out for 89 in 30.2 overs. Saud Shakeel scored 24 runs off 51 balls and was the top scorer for his team in the second innings.

Vaughan also heaped praise on Nathan Lyon for becoming the eighth bowler in the history of Test cricket to pick up 500 wickets. The off-spinner dismissed Faheem Ashraf to reach the landmark.

Vaughan wrote, “Aussies are so clinical.. they have everything covered for all conditions .. Well done to @NathLyon421 on 500 Test wickets .. Incredible achievement .. Only @BCCI have the tools to compete here in Oz at this stage .. #AUSvsPAK.”

After taking a lead of 217 runs in the first innings, Australia did not look back. Usman Khawaja’s 90 and Mitchell Marsh’s 63 helped Australia post a huge target for their opponents to chase down.

Thereafter, the pace trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood ripped through the Pakistan batting. Both Starc and Hazlewood picked up three wickets apiece.

Skipper Cummins got the wicket of former skipper Babar Azam with an absolute peach. Apart from dismissing Ashraf, Lyon also cleaned up Aamer Jamal with a beauty.

Australia’s second Test against Pakistan is scheduled to start on December 26 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

About the author

Abhishek Patil