Pack off at Perth

Paceman Glenn McGrath recorded the second-best bowling figures by an Australian in Test history to power the home team to a whopping 491-run...

Paceman Glenn McGrath recorded the second-best bowling figures by an Australian in Test history to power the home team to a whopping 491-run win over Pakistan on the fourth morning of the first Test at the WACA in Perth on Sunday.

Resuming at 18-1 chasing an unlikely 564 for victory, Pakistan had no answer to McGrath, who took 8-24 on a bouncy WACA pitch as the world8217;s top-ranked side bowled out the tourists for 72 to claim a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

The only Australian to better McGrath8217;s performance was spinner Arthur Mailey, who picked up 9-121 against England in Melbourne in 1920-21.

The victory was a perfect 30th birthday present for Australia captain Ricky Ponting.

8220;He bowled sensationally well,8221; Ponting said of 34-year-old McGrath, the fourth highest wicket-taker in Test history.

Pakistan lost their first wicket of the day when Salman Butt was caught in the gully by Matthew Hayden off McGrath for nine.

McGrath removed Younis Khan two overs later, snapped up by Shane Warne at first slip for 17.

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Abdul Razzaq was then caught by wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist for one at the start of McGrath8217;s ninth over to make the score 49-4.

Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul Haq, forced to bat only at number six after missing a big part of Australia8217;s second innings because of illness and a back complaint, was then caught behind off McGrath for a first-ball duck.

McGrath had seven slips waiting but failed to make wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal play at the next ball outside off-stump, and the lanky New South Wales paceman was unable to achieve the hat-trick.

But Kamran was out for a duck in McGrath8217;s 11th over when Michael Clarke held on to a sharp chance above his head at fourth slip.

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Yousuf Youhana was surprised by a McGrath bouncer and was caught behind for 27, making the total 64-7.

Seamer Michael Kasprowicz then took 2-4 in 3.3 overs to ruin McGrath8217;s chances of collecting all 10 wickets.

McGrath grabbed his eighth victim when he had Shoaib Akhtar caught at mid-off by Darren Lehmann for one with the tailender attempting a slog.

Kasprowicz then caught and bowled Mohammad Khalil for five in the final over before lunch to end a dismal batting display from the touring side.

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Australia opener Justin Langer was named man of the match for his knocks of 191 and 97 in the first and second innings respectively.

The second Test in Melbourne starts on December 26.

BRIEF SCORES

Australia: 381 all out and 361 for 5 decl beat Pakistan: 179 all out and 72 all out Y Youhana 27; G McGrath 8/24, M Kasprowicz 2/4