Misbah-ul-Haq and Azhar Ali both took centuries from the Australian attack on Sunday. Pic: Getty Images

It's a dreadful, record-smashing statistic.

The average of runs conceded per wicket taken of 80.15 by Michael Clarke's team in the two-Test series against Pakistan is Australia's worst in a series in their 137-year history of Test cricket.

It comfortably eclipses the second-worst of 26 wickets at 62.46 in India in 1985-86 under Allan Border.

When Australia were thrashed 4-0 in India early last year, each wicket cost their bowlers 43.80 runs, according to cricinfo.com.

A sign outside the Sharjah stadium which hosted last month's opening one-day game between Australia and Pakistan said: "Graveyard."

Australia won that one-day series three-nil but their bowlers soon found the pitches devoid of life for the Dubai and Abu Dhabi Tests, in keeping with the sign in Sharjah.

Australia's bowlers have managed to take 20 wickets against Pakistan - but they needed two Tests to do so.

Things haven't gone entirely smoothly for Australia's new fielding consultant, former Test batsman Greg Blewett either.

Pakistan's century-makers on Sunday - Misbah-ul-Haq and Azhar Ali - were dropped on four and 68 respectively.

Two key chances went begging in the first Test in Dubai and there have been plenty more in Abu Dhabi,plus run out chances, stumping opportunities, and 23 byes in Pakistan's second innings of 3-293 declared.

The problems were exacerbated as Brad Haddin, nursing an injured shoulder, was rested from the wicketkeeping duties and David Warner and Glenn Maxwell tried their best as back-up glovemen.

Skipper Michael Clarke's only damaging bowler Mitchell Johnson was struggling with a sore hip on Sunday, adding to Australia's problems.

Australia coach Darren Lehmann said losing the toss twice and having to bowl in good batting conditions didn't help.

"They have worked bloody hard on unresponsive wickets," Lehmann said.

"The advantage of batting first is (the pitch) doesn't do too much and Pakistan have batted well enough to bat for two days in the first two Test matches.

"There's less reverse (swing) in the first two days of a game because the wicket's less abrasive.

"As it gets on there's more reverse as they showed and then we showed today.

"That's sometimes a big advantage."

AUSTRALIA'S PACE-BOWLING FIGURES IN TWO-TEST SERIES





Mitchell Johnson 6 wickets at 29.50





Peter Siddle 2 at 108.50





Mitchell Starc 2 at 71.00





Mitchell Marsh 0-110

SPIN BOWLERS





Nathan Lyon 3 at 140.66





Steve O'Keefe 4 at 54.75





Seven Smith 3 at 48.33



