Cricket: Australia dominate http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 in Lords Test
The third day of the first test between Pakistan and Australia at Lord’s proved more of a mismatch between the two teams. On one hand, there was Ricky Ponting’s http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 who dominated the proceedings with the ball, while on the other, the Pakistanis turned their arms over, hoping to get wickets, without actually trying to look threatening. They failed to use the overcast conditions and the fact that the crowd was cheering for them alone. Yet the result came in favour of the Aussies who managed to take their second innings score from a hopeless position of 100 for the loss of 4 wickets to 334 all out.
Simon Katich was the saviour for his side. He followed his first innings heroics with 83 runs in the second innings and rescued his side from what could have been a disastrous position. He was well supported by debutant Tim Paine who scored 47 runs and Ben Hilfenhaus, the pacer who was making a comeback into the side. Hilfenhaus dominated the bowling attack comprising of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Danish-Kaneria-c1314, Umar Gul, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamir, hitting them like a middle-order batsman and scoring his maiden fifty in the process. He remained unbeaten at 56, as Australia was bowled out, giving Pakistan a target of 440 to win the match in 2 days and a session.
The Pakistani bowlers were superb on the second day, but they lost the plot on the third day, with each Australian wicket. The Australian batsmen dominated the day, especially the late order folks who are not known for their batting prowess. No one was able to take the honours by taking a five-wicket haul, like Shane http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Watson-c96326 did in the first innings.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shahid-Afridi-c2482’s captaincy may have been aggressive but it was wayward as well. He shouldn’t have bowled himself when wickets were crucial. Unlike limited overs cricket, this version requires penetration, which Afridi couldn’t provide. He should have not taken off Umar Gul who could have take his fifth wicket, and got his name carved on the Lord’s honour list.
Mohammad Aamer may have been only asked by the Match Referee to lessen the amount of jubilation in his wicket taking antics, but that seems to have affected him. He seemed to be the shadow of the bowler who made the Aussies dance in the first innings, and failed to take a wicket. Mohammad Asif, who began the match with an axe over his head was the star performer who took wickets when it mattered the most. His 3 wickets in the second innings took his tally of wickets to 6 in the match. Umar Gul also made his presence felt with 4 wickets in the second innings, while Danish Kaneria finished with 2 wickets.
Just as Simon Katich played the anchorman for the Australians, Pakistan’s innings was held together by Salman Butt who stroked his way to his second half century of the match. Butt was under criticism for his place in the Test side due to a shoddy average but he responded to his critics in style. His blazing strokes all over the park showed his talents, as if he was telling his critics to note and regret. He was well supported by newcomer Azhar Ali who followed his first innings 16 with a patient 28 in the second innings. He replaced Imran Farhat at the crease after he was dismissed for 24 which came off 48 balls, and included 3 fours.
Chasing 326 more runs to win, Pakistan needs to bat sensibly in the remaining two days and pray that rain should hit the ground and deny Australia a chance of going 1 up in the two match series. Australia, on the other hand, would be hoping to take wickets as soon as the match resumes on the fourth day and wrap up the match with one day to spare.
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