AFP, Brisbane :
Australia captain Tim Paine says his team have room to improve after crushing Pakistan in their opening Test, hailing the quality of his batsmen and bowlers.
The home side comfortably won the first of their two Tests by an innings and five runs inside four days at the Gabba on Sunday, set up by dismissing Pakistan for 240 in the first innings then smacking 580 in reply.
They now head to Adelaide for a day-night Test starting Friday, with Australia having ominously won all five pink-ball matches they have played.
Australia’s top order struggled during the recent Ashes series, but they clicked in Brisbane, raising hopes a corner has been turned.
David Warner hit 154, opening partner Joe Burns 97 and number three Marnus Labuschagne 185. The only real failure was Steve Smith (four), who was their saviour in England.
Asked if Australia had finally found its long-term top three, Paine replied: “The early signs would suggest yes.
“One innings doesn’t make a summer but we are really happy with the positive signs that we saw.”
Labuschagne, in particular, was a revelation, building on promising form during the Ashes to hit his maiden Test century and, according to Paine, “finally arrive on the big stage”.
“He gives our team energy out in the field and in the dressing room. It looks like he is getting better and better which is a great thing for Australia,” said the captain.
