Chasing a victory target of 440 runs against Australia in the first Test at Lord's, Pakistan got off to a good start. They were 152 for one at one stage and looked set to give Australia a run for their money. However, the introduction of part-timer Marcus North into the attack proved a master-stroke that turned the game on its head.
North took a career best 6 for 55 helping Australia won the game by a convincing 150-run margin.
This was Australia's 13th win at a trot against Pakistan in a Test match. The sequence started with the Brisbane Test in November 1999 in which Australia romped home by 10 wickets.
This sequence of 13 wins for Australia (or 13 losses for Pakistan) is a new record in bilateral contests. The previous record was of 12 consecutive wins for Sri Lanka against Bangladesh.
Here are the details of most consecutive wins in bilateral matches:
Tests |
Winner |
Loser |
Period |
13* |
Australia |
Pakistan |
1999-2010 |
12* |
Sri Lanka |
Bangladesh |
2001-2009 |
10 |
West Indies |
England |
1984-1986 |
9 |
Australia |
West Indies |
1999-2003 |
8 |
England |
South Africa |
1889-1899 |
8 |
Australia |
England |
1920-1921 |
8* |
South Africa |
Bangladesh |
2002-2008 |
8* |
England |
Bangladesh |
2003-2010 |
* unbroken sequence