Steve Smith's might just have arrived on a sunny Friday afternoon at Lord's in Australia's 150-run Test win over Pakistan.

Pakistan's unlikely victory hopes evaporated on the final day of their first Test against Australia at Lord's when they were bowled out for 289 in their second innings.

Pakistan closed day three of the opening Test against Australia on 114 for one in their second innings having been set a target of 440 - more runs than have ever been scored to win in the fourth innings of a Test match. The target would have far smaller but for a fine lower-order performance from Australia, whose last two wickets added 126 with Ben Hilfenhaus registering a maiden Test half-century and Tim Paine just missing out.

RICKY Ponting has found himself in the unique position of being the third-best performing Tasmanian in a Test cricket team.

A POWER-hitting cameo from Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi brought the best and worst of Twenty20 cricket to the Test arena last night. But moreover an old-fashioned and resolute Australian side grasped firm control of the first "neutral" Test between the two countries in London.

London: Australia closed a dramatic second day of the first Test at Lord's on 100-4 and with a lead of 205 runs over Pakistan after 15 wickets fell on Wednesday. After being bowled out in its first innings for 253, Australia took advantage of good bowling conditions to dismiss Pakistan for 148, with Shane Watson claiming career-best test figures of 5-40 after ripping through the middle order.

London: Swing bowler Mohammad Asif's spell of three wickets in seven balls tilted day one of the first test in Pakistan's favor as Australia collapsed to 229-9 at Lord's before bad light stopped play on Tuesday.

A PUGNACIOUS performance by Pakistan's homeless cricket team has unsettled Australia's long-term building plans for The Ashes and beyond.