Cricket Update: Australia ends drought as Pakistan have been impressive so far even with out Captain Shahid Afridi
As expected, the Australian avoided what was looking like a complete white wash and once again proved that in this day and age a lot more needs to be done to defeat the Australians comprehensively.
After losing the 5 match one day series to 3 consecutive losses, which were completed three days ago, in yesterdays match the Australians came back strongly and what looked like a 4-0 score line got changed to 3-1.
The men in yellow put the past behind, as they looked a much better unit then their previous outings in England and thus managed to score their first win of the tour.
One would argue that the win came too late in the series, however regardless of that; the fact is that the win finally did come. One can be sure that once the Australians taste the sweet flavour of success, it becomes very difficult for opposing teams to deprive them of their hunger and this could very well be seen over the next few days as well.
The 4th one dayer saw a determined 155 runs partnership between Michael Clarke and Ricky Ponting, as they put the Australian batsmen in control, finding their form and thus managing to hammer the English bowlers all around the park. The Australians thus managed to post a mammoth total of 290 runs in their allotted 50 overs.
In the batting department, England from the start could not take the pressure on the total that they were facing and thus succumbed to the bowling, losing by 78-runs.The loss for England marks the end of their eight consecutive one day victories.
Even England’s best bowler so far in this series, James Anderson failed to get his line and length consistent in the 4th game, as he bowled to many short deliveries and thus was punished by the Australians who love the ball coming on to their bat especially at the waist length.
Now a good omen for Australia and its fans may not exactly be what the Pakistanis would have wanted.
Pakistan who are in England for their series against Australia and England, would have been hoping that the Australians continue with their lack of form, as they go up next against them. They need to really perform well, as they have already been humiliated this year at the hands of the Australians.
So far though the Captain, Coach and the entire Pakistan camp would be satisfied with their preparation for a tough summer, as they have managed to beat the a star studded MCC, who have the likes of Brain Lara and Sourav Ganguly in a close game.
The batsmen for Pakistan have so far shined in the all important warm up games and they continue to do so, as they seem to be in perfect rhythm which was evident in their game against Kent County.
The only point of worry for Pakistan at this moment is the fact that their captain Shahid Afridi seems to be in a bit of a bother with a muscle injury.
Afridi, who had to leave the field on the second day of his teams match against Kent County got scans done on his back to find a small muscle rupture, which has resulted in the team physiotherapists recommending that he take at least a two day rest.
Coach of the Pakistani team, Waqar Younus says that Afridi’s fitness would be reviewed after his rest and then further action will be decided, however he has ruled out the possibility that Afridi will not be able participate in the main matches.
The captain so far has only been ruled out of the next two practice games, where Pakistan will play Essex and Northamptonshire.
However, in the absence of Afridi, Salman Butt has been able to lead the team comfortably and has also been a key example for the youngsters in the team as his performance is speaking louder then words.
Even the other senior players in the team like Shoaib Malik and Shoaib Akhtar continue to play well and are contributing to the success of the team.
Thus to conclude, the Pakistani’s have been impressive so far in their warm-up games of the tour, however what needs to be seen is and what will eventually matter is, if they can continue this great form against their actual rivals, Australia and England.
The Pakistanis this summer will play a total of 4 twenty-twenty matches, 5 tests and 5 one-dayer against the Australians and the English sides.
This English tour for Pakistan will go on all the way till the end of September and one can only hope that they now continue winning and return home with great winning memories of England.
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