Australia completed a 5-0 series whitewash after a two-wicket defeat of Pakistan at the WACA in a match marred by allegations of ball tampering. Australia reached a target of 213 with three balls to spare, the winning runs coming up after Ryan Harris spooned a catch to mid-off only for the square leg umpire to rule a no-ball as the delivery passed waist high. The inventive Mike Hussey was the hero for Australia, compiling 40 from 46 balls. But the match may be overshadowed by an investigation into an alleged ball tampering incident involving the stand-in Pakistani captain Shahid Afridi and a nasty field invasion by a spectator. In bizarre scenes, Afridi was caught on camera biting into the ball before tossing it back to the bowler late in the Australia innings.
The third umpire reported the incident to the on-field officials who immediately ordered the ball be replaced with five overs to go and Australia needing a further 35 for victory. Afridi faces a fine and a possible suspension if found guilty of ball tampering. Adding to a dramatic finish, a fan jumped the fence with four overs remaining and crash-tackled the Pakistani opener Khalid Latif before being dragged away by security. Australia bowled Pakistan out for a modest 212, with their three frontline bowlers sharing the honours ? Harris (three for 32), Johnson (two for 42) and man-of-the-match Clint McKay (four for 35) taking nine of the 10 wickets to fall. Only a patient 67 from Umar Akmal (102 balls) and a fighting Fawad Alam (63 from 70 balls) half-century ensured Pakistan's bowlers had a total to defend.
But, determined to end a disastrous tour on a high note, Pakistan's bowlers stuck to the task well in the early overs and were rewarded with the wicket of Brad Haddin (seven) with the score on 21. The opener attempted to drive Rana Naved (two for 55) through the off side but was caught at short cover by Shoaib Malik. Shaun Marsh, lucky to survive a simple run out when on zero, was joined by Ricky Ponting and the pair pushed Australian past the 50 mark. Perhaps frustrated by his inability to pierce the field, Marsh reached 25 before cutting Mohammad Asif (one for 40) to Fawad Alam at point. Cameron White came in at No 4 and was determined not to get bogged down by Afridi's leg spinners.
But two balls after clouting the Pakistan skipper over mid-wicket for six, White played the ball onto his stumps after attempting to work it on the leg side. At 73 for three the hosts appeared a touch vulnerable, but Ponting and Adam Voges put on a cautious 49 for the fourth wicket to ease concerns. But when Ponting (55), Voges (24) and James Hopes (six) departed in quick succession, Australia was under the pump for the first time in the series at 150 for six. Mitchell Johnson and Michael Hussey then joined forces and began edging the hosts towards with a promising seventh-wicket partnership. But the loss of Johnson (13) on 178, caught behind off Rana, swung the game back Pakistan's way.
The composed Hussey and Nathan Hauritz (18) added 32 for the next wicket to put Australia within reach and set-up a thrilling finale. * PA Sport
