Another innings victory for Aussies secures series clean sweep

Australia won by an innings and 48 runs to achieve a series clean sweep against Pakistan, with David Warner named player of the match for his score of 335 runs not out.

Australia won the toss and elected to bat first in an unseasonably wet Test at Adelaide Oval.

Joe Burns fell early, caught behind for just four runs.

It was an unfortunate dismissal for the man who missed out on a century last innings, as David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne showed the deck was clearly a batsman’s paradise.

In a rain-affected day, the partnership between Warner and Labuschagne built steadily and at stumps the pair had put together a 294-run stand, Warner on 166 and Labuschagne 126.

A fairly fine Saturday meant a full day of cricket, and the pair continued until Labuschagne fell for 162.

Steve Smith came in next and made 36, meanwhile, Warner reached his double century.

Smith fell caught behind, but Matthew Wade came in and stuck with Warner, as the opener made an historic 335 not-out.

(AAP Image/David Mariuz)

Tim Paine called the pair in, declaring with 589 runs on the board.

Pakistan went out to bat just before dinner on Day 2 and immediately Mitchell Starc struck.

It was tough going for the visitors, who lost six wickets for 96 runs under the lights.

The top order fell around Babar Azam, all caught by the wicketkeeper or slips and were desperate for the day’s play to come to an end.

In the morning of Day 3, Babar and Yasir Shah put together an innings-saving partnership of 105 runs before the former fell three runs short of a century.

Starc took a second wicket within as many balls, but Mohammad Abbas settled in with Yasir Shah to forge another strong partnership.

Shah went on to make a memorable century – a brilliant performance from the eighth batsman, but it came to an end on 113.

Having bowled Pakistan out for 302, still 287 runs ahead, Paine enforced the follow-on and sent the visitors back in to bat again.

Starc finished with six wickets in the first innings.

With rain around late in the day, Australia were once again dominant with the pink ball under lights.

The ball was not swinging as it has previously in Day/Night Tests in Adelaide, however Starc and Josh Hazlewood were still enjoying the conditions.

Australia finished Day 3 in a commanding position, taking three wickets before rain brought play to an early finish.

Day 4 lasted longer than many expected, as Pakistan showed some grit.

Opener Shaan Masood and Asad Shafiq both reached half-centuries, but were unable to go on.

Nathan Lyon was the pick of the bowlers in the second innings, taking five wickets on Day 4 when the road was doing very little.

Hazlewood took three wickets, before Pat Cummins ended the match with a direct hit run out to remove Mohammad Abbas.

Australia won a second consecutive Test match by an innings and change, absolutely demolishing a young touring Pakistan team.

Amusingly, local Adelaide batsman Travis Head is the first Australian player in over 25 years to play in a winning Test match without batting, bowling or taking a catch.

David Warner was also named player of the series for his 489 runs, including his unbeaten 335-run knock in this second Test.

Australia next face New Zealand in a Day/Night Test match in Perth.

Australia 3/589d
Pakistan 302, 239