Australia close in on Pakistani lead at Headingley
Ricky Ponting became only the second man in test match history to reach 12000 runs, as Australia fought back in the second test match against Pakistan at Headingley, Leeds.
Facing a first innings deficit of 170 runs, Australia finished the day’s proceedings at a handsome 136 for two with Michael http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Clarke-c51120 on 32 and Ricky Ponting on 61.
Earlier in the day, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 resumed batting on 148-3 and was bowled out for 258 as Shane Watson claimed career best figures of 6-33.
After Ponting’s mind boggling decision of batting first under overcast skies, he needed to come up with something special if Australia is to protect its unassailable 1-0 lead in the test series. His fighting half century has certainly tilted the scales in Australia’s favour.
Pakistan have not had a test victory against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 for one and a half decade and were in total control of the proceedings but their batting failed to deliver once again as they only managed a 170 runs lead in the first innings. As Ponting’s men looked more comfortable in their second innings, Pakistan’s confidence began to fade on a pitch that is still offering some assistance to pacers. With 3 days play still left the match is delicately poised but with Pakistan to bat last in the match and given their highly fragile batting order Australia might be in with a chance.
After a delayed start to the day’s proceedings, Pakistan added 70 more runs to their overnight score for the loss of 2 wickets. Umar Akmal after already being given an extra life off a no ball was out caught by Paine in the fifth over of the day.
Umar Amin was unlucky to be out in a bizarre fashion as he left his bat hanging in the air while trying to duck under a Hilfenhaus bouncer and was caught at square leg.
Hussey dropped Kamran Akmal off Shane Watson but with the seamer getting the ball to swing both ways proved too hot to handle for the Pakistanis and was rewarded with 2 wickets in his first over after the lunch interval.
Wicket keeper Akmal was the first to go and the very next ball Mohammad Aamer followed when he was wrongly adjudged lbw by Rudi Koertzen, who is officiating for the last time in an illustrious career.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Watson-c96326 had already taken 5 wickets in the first innings and finished the second with 6 as in the very next over, he disturbed the timber behind Umar Gul and later got Shoaib Malik to top edge an ill attempted pull shot.
Pakistan launched a spirited yet comical fight back with a last wicket stand of 24 between Kaneria and Asif before Steven Smith ran out Kaneria.
The impressive Pakistani seamers were not at their wicked best in the second innings as Australia began their second innings cautiously. However, Mohammaed Aamer removed the danger man Katich in the 5th over while Umar Amin accounted for Watson’s dismissal in the 15th over with Pakistan’s lead still at 115.
Ponting could have been out lbw on the very first ball of his innings but the umpire ruled in favour of the Australian captain. Once Ponting found his feet it was hard work for the Pakistani bowlers as they were dispatched to all parts of the ground for boundaries. Ponting reached his 50 off just 73 balls as Australia went into tea at 128 for 2.
The last session of the game had to be curtailed as bad light stopped play with Australia at 136 for 2 still trailing by 34 runs.
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