Australia has secured a 3-0 series whitewash over Pakistan after winning the New Year’s Test in Sydney by eight wickets on Saturday.
David Warner, playing his final Test innings, and Marnus Labuschagne combined for a 119-run partnership for the second wicket, guiding Australia towards the awkward 130-run target despite the early loss of opener Usman Khawaja.
The Australians have retained the Benaud-Qadir Trophy, extending its unbeaten streak of wins against Pakistan at home to 17 Tests.
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DAVID WARNER – 8
299 runs at 49.83, HS 164
Warner has farewelled Test cricket with a series whitewash and a dream farewell in front of friends and fancy at the SCG.
The New South Welshman was the only centurion of the series, reaching triple figures on day one of the Perth Test.
Although he didn’t notch a fifty for the remainder of the series, he got Australia off to a solid start during the first innings in Melbourne and Sydney.
Mic’d Up: Best of Warner & Usman Day 2 | 02:03
USMAN KHAWAJA – 6
220 runs at 36.66, HS 90
Khawaja fell agonisingly short of a Test hundred in Perth, but otherwise it was a relatively quiet series for the Queenslander.
The 37-year-old didn’t finish the Benaud-Qadir Trophy with a mountain of runs, but he successfully took the shine off the Kookaburra in most innings, excluding the dramatic collapse on day three in Melbourne and the Sydney runs chase.
Diving Khawaja takes clean grab | 00:49
MARNUS LABUSCHAGNE – 6
207 runs at 41.40, HS 63
It’s fair to say Labuschagne didn’t reach the lofty standards that we’ve come to expect from him against the Pakistanis this summer.
The Queenslander notched patient fifties in Melbourne and Sydney, but failed to convert the starts into substantial scores, which Australia desperately needed at the time.
However, he redeemed himself in the fourth innings of the New Year’s Test, combining with David Warner for a century stand.
Death, taxes & Marnus burning reviews | 01:34
STEVE SMITH – 6
194 runs at 38.80, HS 50
Perhaps nothing better exemplifies Steve Smith’s Benaud-Qadir Trophy campaign than his series strike rate of 39.25.
The Australian vice-captain reached 25 in all five knocks against Pakistan this summer, but never scored more than 50. Renowned for his dominance on home soil, the intimidating aura Smith once possessed at the crease was non-existent over the past few weeks.
ABSURD Smith brainfade sees dismissal | 01:35
TRAVIS HEAD – 3
81 runs at 16.20, HS 40
When you go about Test match batting like Travis Head, it’s inevitable that things will backfire eventually.
The South Australian maintained his trademark positive intent throughout the series, but rarely had an impact with the bat.
However, he did knock over the dangerous Babar Azam in the series finale at the SCG with his part-time off-spin.
Mic’d up Head is pure legendary in field | 02:22
MITCHELL MARSH – 9
344 runs at 86.00, HS 96
Two wickets at 42.50, BB 1-27
Marsh has cemented his spot at No. 6 in the Test side for the foreseeable future, belting four half-centuries in a near-perfect campaign with the bat.
The 32-year-old will feel frustrated to have fallen in the nineties on two occasions, but he regardless finished the Benaud-Qadir Trophy as the leading run-scorer, also making some valuable contributions with the ball in Perth and Sydney.
Marsh falls short of Boxing Day Test ton | 02:35
ALEX CAREY – 7
129 runs at 32.25, HS 53
12 catches and three stumpings
Tidy with the gloves and solid with the bat, Carey didn’t do much wrong throughout the Benaud-Qadir Trophy.
After copping an absolute peach in the first innings of the Perth Test, the South Australian made crucial cameos with the bat in Melbourne and Sydney.
Apart from neglecting to dislodge the bails for a bizarre run-out chance in Melbourne, Carey didn’t put a foot wrong with the gloves against Pakistan.
Bails don’t move in WEIRD run-out chance | 00:54
MITCHELL STARC – 7
12 wickets at 26.08, BB 4-45
It was far from a perfect campaign for Starc, but his uncanny knack for taking wickets in the first over of an innings continued against the Pakistanis.
He got Australia off to a dream start on three occasions in Perth and Sydney, getting the new ball to swing around corners throughout the series.
Starc’s wayward bowling in Perth understandably raised eyebrows, but he quickly redeemed himself in the second innings.
PERFECT START – Starc strikes 2nd ball | 00:33
PAT CUMMINS – 9
19 wickets at 12.00, BB 5-48
His bowling was superb, his captaincy was masterful, and that million-dollar smile continues to melt hearts.
Cummins enjoyed a near-perfect campaign against Pakistan this summer, taking three consecutive five-wicket hauls in Melbourne and Sydney.
Meanwhile, the 30-year-old’s leadership and tactical prowess have come leaps and bounds since the Ashes.
Cummins cooks up 5-fa at the SCG | 02:03
NATHAN LYON – 7
13 wickets at 26.69, BB 4-73
Lyon’s Benaud-Qadir Trophy campaign will be remembered most fondly for his 500th Test wicket, which occurred on the final day of the series opener in Perth.
The Australian bowling attack feels incomplete without the veteran off-spinner in its arsenal, with Lyon soaking up one end while repeatedly creating vital breakthroughs when required.
Legendary Lyon claims 500th Test wicket | 02:02
JOSH HAZLEWOOD – 8
11 wickets at 20.00, BB 4-16
Hazlewood’s relentless consistency often goes underappreciated, but the Bendemeer Bullet reaped the rewards of his nagging line and length on day three of the Sydney Test.
The New Year’s Test was in the balance before his triple-wicket maiden swung momentum back in Australia’s favour, ensuring the hosts clinched a series whitewash.
He was also arguably Australia’s best bowler during the first Test in Perth.
Hazlewood takes 3 in the final over! | 00:59
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