North spins out Pakistan

Marcus North was the surprise bowling hero as Australia completed a 150-run win over Pakistan in the first Test at Lord's.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
North: career-best figures

Pakistan resumed at 114-1 on the fourth morning requiring 440 for victory in the series opener and, despite Salman Butt's 92, never looked likely to pull off what would have been a record run chase.

Off-spinner North, who had taken just one previous five-for during his 11-year first-class career, finished with figures of 6-55, while debut leg-spinner Steve Smith chipped in with 3-51.

Ben Hilfenhaus was the only seam bowler to strike on the fourth day, sparking Pakistan's collapse from 152-1 to 289 all out with the scalp of Azhar Ali.

Ali, on 28 overnight, extended his second-wicket stand with Butt to 102 before Hilfenhaus (1-37) produced a perfectly pitched outswinger to take the edge through to wicketkeeper Tim Paine and send him on his way for 42.

With the pitch offering little to his seam attack, Australia captain Ricky Ponting brought North into the attack after an hour's play.

His reward was immediate, Butt - having advanced serenely to within eight of a century - stumped down the leg-side after overbalancing attempting to work North's first delivery off his legs.

And the part-timer struck again in the final over before lunch, extra bounce undoing Umar Akmal (22), whose attempted cut was edged through to Michael Clarke at slip to reduce Pakistan to 216-4.