Cricket: Hauritz bags five wickets as Aussies take first test

Nathan Hauritz celebrates after taking Mohammad Aamer's wicket during play today. Photo / Getty Images

Australia beat Pakistan by 170 runs in the first test at the MCG after offspinner Nathan Hauritz achieved his maiden five-wicket haul.

Hauritz took the two remaining wickets in his first over after lunch to finish with 5-101 as Pakistan crashed to 251 in their second innings.

Hauritz had Pakistan captain Mohammad Yousuf caught at short leg off the pad for 61 and five balls later had Saeed Ajmal (10) caught from a skied slog.

Australia had set Pakistan 422 runs to win.

Australia set up the early finish with five wickets in the first session of the day, including two by Mitchell Johnson in successive balls in the first over.

Johnson had Umar Akmal (27) and Misbah-ul-Haq (0) both caught behind and then nearly dismissed Kamran Akmal in similar fashion when bowling for a hat-trick.

Hauritz also picked up two wickets in as many balls in the first session, the first when Kamran (30) was stumped and the second when Mohammad Aamer (duck).

Hauritz's return was his first five-wicket haul in first-class cricket and came after he scored a test-best 75 as a nightwatchman in Australia's first innings.

Australia's win created history for Ricky Ponting, who has now captained the most test victories (42) of anyone, and played in more wins (93) than any other player.

Ponting moved clear of former teammates Steve Waugh as the most successful captain, and Shane Warne as the player to have been involved in the most wins.

Apart from Hauritz, the match was also a great one for several of Ponting's teammates.

Opener Shane Watson made his maiden test hundred (120 not out) in Australia's second innings after 93 on Boxing Day, while Simon Katich (98), Mike Hussey (82) and Ponting (57) also made half-centuries.

Paceman Mitchell Johnson had a superb game, with returns of 3-36 and 3-46 across combined 40 overs, as well as 22 with the bat.

Hauritz was pleased to be a part of another good Australian bowling effort.

"The tone was set by Mitch in the first over, there were some crucial wickets there," he told the Nine Network. "I was lucky enough to get a few in there."

The second test starts at the SCG on January 3.

- AAP