It was not forever.
It only seemed that way for Australian cricketers and Australian cricket fans.
Fast bowler Billy Stanlake, some brilliant fielding and some productive willow wielding has permitted Australia to put the period to its nine-match losing streak.
Australia added the exclamation point as well, beating Pakistan in Twenty20 Tri-Series play. They beat Pakistan convincingly in Zimbabwe in a return to South Africa to bury ghosts of cricket past.
The winning margin was more than a little impressive, with the boys in gold beating the Pakkers by nine wickets with 9.1 overs and 55 balls left unbowled.
Aaron Finch was the batter of the day, but more of the credit belongs with Stanlake’s outing with the new ball in hand, as Australia chose to bowl first.
Stanlake needed just three deliveries to dismiss Mohammed Hafeez with a combination of bounce and seam that enabled Finch to make a fine catch first slip. Stanlake went on to take 4 – 8 off his four overs.
In his next over, Stanlake needed just 10, thanks to another catch by Finch. This time, it was Hussain Talat saw a short gloved ball headed to the vacant deep gully region caught by Finch at full sprint to make a low catch with his left.
Stanlake, as if often the case when a good day is being had, benefitted in his third over in his third wicket when Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman was caught behind off a ball down the leg side.
Stanlake’s fourth straight over came at the expense of Pakistani Captain Sarfraz Ahmed and again it was fielding prowess on the part of Finch, who took a diving catch to his right at first slip.
By the time Stanlake was finished, Pakistan had used up seven overs and had 4 – 26 only.
Pakistan gifted Australia another wicket with some poor running on the part of Asif Ali, who had pulled Marcus Stoinis to deep square leg, only to abort his run to strand Shaib Malik mid-pitch.
Finch, aside from catching everything even remotely in his vicinity, led the chase with an unbeaten 66 off 33, including six sixes and four fours in a remarkable display of numerical symmetry.
