Former England player Michael Vaughan has reacted to Pakistan’s 360-run defeat to Australia in the first Test in Perth on Day 4 (Sunday, December 17). He also added that only Team India have the tools to compete in Australia. Vaughan’s comments are likely to be based on the fact that India beat Australia 2-1 during the 2018-19 as well as the 2020-21 tours, under Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane’s leadership respectively as well. Since then, Australia have won three home Test series – against England, West Indies, and South Africa as well.
However, Australia continued their dominance at home with a stunning 360-run win earlier on Sunday and Vaughan reserved special praise for off-spinner Nathan Lyon, who became only the second off-spinner (after Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan) to claim the 500-wicket in Test cricket. Muralitharan (800) wickets, Australia’s Shane Warne (708) and India’s Anil Kumble (619) are the three other spinners to have this feat as well.
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Vaughan wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “Aussies are so clinical .. they have everything covered for all conditions .. Well done to @NathLyon421 on 500 Test wickets .. Incredible achievement .. Only @BCCI have the tools to compete here in Oz at this stage ..”
Meanwhile, Australian captain Pat Cummins was happy to win the opening Test against Pakistan and go 1-0 ahead in the three-match Test series. He gave the credit to David Warner, Mitchell Marsh and Nathan Lyon for their stunning show throughout the game.
In his post-match comments, Cummins said: “Great start to the summer. Everything fell in place really so couldn’t be happier. We’ve played a lot of cricket here, it’s an experienced side so the build-up was very chilled and relaxed. (On Warner) That was huge. His and Uzzy’s (Usman Khawaja) partnership at the start really set it up for us. To get 350 odd (on the first day), we were really ahead of the game from the first day.”
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Pat Cummins continued: “(On Marsh) He’s one of the favorites of the West, he’s also one of my favorites. It’s great to see him back in Australia and playing a Test after five (six) years. (On Lyon) 500 Test wickets around the world is huge. Couldn’t be happier for him. He was out for six months with a calf injury and it’s great to see him back.”
