Pakistan v Australia

Toss: Australia. Test debuts: Pakistan - D.Sharpe

Heavy rain prior to the match ruled out the possibility of it being played on grass and Pakistan, sent in by Benaud, soon lost Ijaz Butt on the matting pitch.

Hanif Mohammad and Saeed Ahmed improved the position with a second-wicket stand of 72 and after the fall of the third wicket at 82, Hanif received notable assistance from Sharpe, who was making his Test debut. MacKay struck an important blow for Australia by dismissing Hanif, who had batted stolidly for 66, a quarter of an hour before the close of play on the first day. Sharpe batted attractively until he was splendidly run out by O'Neill from cover-point. MacKay proved too good for the tail and Pakistan were all out for 200.

Australia, too, found scoring difficult and despite an excellent innings of 96 by Harvey, they only secured first innings lead through Grout, whose spirited 66 not out, including seven 4s, came in an hour and twenty-five minutes. Fazal Mahmood was the most successful bowler for Pakistan with five wickets for 71.

MacKay, bowling off-spinners on a perfect length, severely troubled Pakistan when they batted a second time and he finished with six for 42. Sharpe, alone, defied him for any length of time and Australia, needing 110 for victory, scored the runs for the loss of Favell and Harvey.