Hauritz spins Australia to victory

Nathan Hauritz claimed his maiden five-wicket haul in first-class cricket as Australia wrapped up a comprehensive 170-run victory over Pakistan in the first Test in Melbourne ON Wednesday morning.

Hauritz, whose previous best was four for 86, spun Australia to victory shortly after lunch on the final day at the MCG after Mitchell Johnson had earlier set the tone with a devastating spell of pace bowling.

Hauritz finished with five for 101 to help bowl the tourists out for 251 in their second innings.

Pakistan went into lunch at 249 for eight, chasing a world-record 422 for an historic victory.

But their slim hopes were dashed in the second over after lunch as Hauritz had captain Mohammad Yousuf caught by Simon Katich at short leg for 61, before Saeed Ajmal was caught at mid-wicket by Shane Watson for 10.

Watson was named man of the match for his 93 in the first innings and unbeaten 120 - his maiden Test century - in the second.

Johnson finished 2009 with 63 wickets after claiming three for 46, while Doug Bollinger had two for 42.

The victory also cemented Ricky Ponting as the most successful captain in Test history with 42 wins out of the 65 matches in which he has led Australia.

Earlier, Johnson and Hauritz each grabbed two wickets in a dominant morning session.

Johnson struck twice in two balls in the first over of the morning before Hauritz repeated the trick, both bowlers coming within inches of hat-tricks.

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