Pakistan beaten by 150 runs against Aussies in first Test

LONDON: Australia beat Pakistan by 150 runs to win the first Test at Lord's here on Friday and go 1-0 up in the two-match series.

Victory gave Australia a record 13th straight successive Test victory over the same opponent, although Sri Lanka's run of 12 wins in a row over Bangladesh is also still ongoing.

Pakistan, chasing what would have been a new world record fourth innings victory total of 440, were bowled out for 150 as Australia, in the first 'neutral' Test played in England since 1912, won with more than a day to spare.

Part-time off-spinner Marcus North was Australia's bowling hero with a Test-best six wickets for 55 runs - the first time he'd taken five or more wickets in an innings - on the fourth day here on Friday.

Unheralded medium-pacer Shane Watson had earlier exploited the overcast, swing-friendly conditions to take a Test-best five for 40 as Pakistan were bowled out for a meagre 148 in their first innings.

Australia were also indebted to opener Simon Katich for scores of 80 and 83 in a match where batsmen on both sides struggled.

Pakistan's Salman Butt, like Katich a left-handed opener, scored his side's only two fifties. But having made 63 in the first innings, his dismissal by North for 92 on Friday was the catalyst for Pakistan's final collapse.

The second and final Test starts at Headingley on Wednesday.

Brief scores:
Australia 1st Inns 253 (S Katich 80, M Hussey 56 no; Mohammad Aamer 4-72,
Mohammad Asif 3-63)
Pakistan 1st Inns 148 (Salman Butt 63; S Watson 5-40)
Australia 2nd Inns 334 (S Katich 83, B Hilfenhaus 56 no; Umar Gul 4-61,
Mohammad Asif 3-77)
Pakistan 2nd Inns 289 (Salman Butt 92; M North 6-55)

Result: Australia won by 150 runs