Cricket: http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 off to a good start at Headingley
Pakistan has got off to a good start on day one of their second and final test against the Australians at the Headingley in Leeds.
The Australians won the toss and opted to bat first in the final test of the Marylebone Cricket Club Spirit of cricket series taking place at a neutral venue.
After the Australians won the toss and opted to bat first in overcast conditions, the Pakistan pace trio of Asif, Aamer and Umar Gul ripped apart the top order with seaming deliveries. One wonders what promoted Ricky Ponting to bat first.
But Ponting’s decisions generally pay rich dividends especially against Pakistan and considering the fragile batting line-up that the Asians possess the Aussies are still the favourites in the game.
Replacing retired captain http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shahid-Afridi-c2482, in the team is all-rounder Shoaib Malik, while leg-spinner Danesh Kaneria has retained his place in the team. Despite, calls for the inclusion of off-spinner Saeed Ajmal, considering the plethora of lefties in the Australian line-up.
The first wicket to fall was that of Simon Katich, the Aussie hero from the first test, who, failed to read an in dipper from left-armed Mohammad Aamer. The next to go was Shane http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Watson-c96326, who, was also an LBW victim to a vicious in-swinger by Mohammad Asif.
It only got worse for the Aussies as Michael http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Clarke-c51120 perished playing an expansive drive off Asif that went through his defences and disturbed the furniture.
Ricky Ponting’s dismal series continued as he too was caught plumb in front of the wicket after scoring 6 sketchy runs of 21 balls.
All eyes were now on Mike Hussey, dubbed Mr. Cricket for his freakish abilities, but to the disappointment of the Aussie fans Hussey perished to Umar Gul. He too was struck on the pads in front of the stumps after making 5 runs.
Just on the eve of the lunch break, Marcus North succumbed to an out swinger by medium pacer Umar Amin for 16. The part-timer Amin gave North a taste of his own medicine, by taking his scalp after North, himself a part-timer, tore through Pakistan in the first test at Lords claiming six wickets in the second innings.
The Pakistani pace trio of Asif, Aamer and Gul, is on top in ideal bowling conditions and if the cloud cover persists they can expect to topple the Kangaroos fairly cheaply.
The Australians limped to 73 for 6 at lunch with Steven Smith and Paine battling hard. Smith has scored 9 while Paine is batting on 8.
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