Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood create Test history as Pakistan's troubles continue

Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood have created Test history after dismissing Pakistan's two openers on day one of Australia's third Test against Pakistan. Starc struck with only the second ball of the Test, tempting Abdullah Shafique into a loose shot that was caught by Steve Smith at second slip.

The very next over Hazlewood got one to move away from Saim Ayub, with the debutant edging it as it nipped away and watched helplessly as the ball landed in the gloves of Alex Carey to leave the visitors 2/4. To make matters worse for the visitors, Pakistan's two openers falling for a duck created a piece of unwanted cricket history as their troubles in Australia continue.

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Cricket statistician Mazher Arshad revealed in a post to X that with the two early wickets, Australia became the first team in Test history to dismiss both openers for a duck to start a calendar year. Commentator Isa Guha said it was typical Australian bowling. “Pressure... Consistent line and length. That’s what this bowling attack do, they’re so relentless,” Guha said.

The early struggles on day one are just the latest in a long history of woes for Pakistan against Australia. The side has not won a Test in Australia in December since 1995 when they secured a 74-run victory at the SCG.

And Arshad pointed out in a brutal collection of statistics just how much has changed since Pakistan was last victorious on Australian shores. "Last time Pakistan won a Test in Australia, Imran Khan was yet to enter politics, Javed Miandad was an active cricketer, Pakistan were Cricket and Hockey World Champions, Babar Azam was one year old and the petrol was 22 Rs/litre," he wrote on X.

Cameron Green hint as Australian team prepare for life after David Warner

Cameron Green was pictured going through an extensive nets session at the SCG on Tuesday, as Aussie cricket coaches and selectors cast a keen eye over the young all-rounder ahead of a decision on who will replace the retiring David Warner. Green, who lost his place in the Aussie Test XI to Mitch Marsh during the Ashes series last year, is one of the contenders in the running to take the veteran opener's spot after the Sydney Test.

If Tuesday's development is anything to go by, Green may be in line for a recall for the first Test against the West Indies in Brisbane later this month. He is vying with Cameron Bancroft, Marcus Harris and Matt Renshaw for Warner's spot, with the all-rounder is the only one of the four without experience opening the batting.

Andrew McDonald hinted at Green winning the vacant spot when he revealed he was firmly in contention. "All options will be considered," McDonald said last week. "We're not going to make the decision until the deadline, which would be the West Indies game. But yeah, Cameron Green, as a discussion around who are the best six batters, would definitely be in the discussion."

Green has a significantly better record at Test and first-class level than Bancroft, Harris and Renshaw, but would be batting out of position if he replaces Warner. The argument about picking Green is he'd be a better option than the other contenders regardless of where he bats.

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