England vs Pakistan; Pakistan dominate on day 3 at Oval
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 ended day 3 of the Oval test on a high. Muhammad Aamer and Saeed Ajmal led a brilliant comeback in the final session of the day and left England at 221 for 9, leading Pakistan by just 146 runs. Bad light stopped play midway through the 3rd session and was eventually called off. In the first England innings it was the debutant Wahab Riaz and the ever consistent Muhammad Asif who were the major destroyers. However in the 2nd innings it was the other duo of Pakistan attack that came to the party that is clear evidence of the depth and variety in the visitor’s attack.
England started the day at 6 for the loss of 1 wicket, still trailing Pakistan by 69 runs. Night watchman James Anderson continued to do his job and frustrated the Pakistan attack. Saeed Ajmal finally got the better of him and got one to bounce and turn and he was caught behind after scoring 11 runs from 30 balls. Alastair Cook who had been in dreadful form this series was looking to get back in form and probably this was his last chance. The left hander took some time but did get in his stride. He had able support from Jonathan Trott who came in at number 4. Trott however looked a bit lethargic and was scoring at a very slow rate.
The pair held off the Pakistan attack in early part of the day and added 116 runs for the 3rd wicket. Cook completed his well deserved century and was eventually dismissed for 115 runs. He was caught behind off the bowling of Wahab Riaz. Kevin Pietersen then joined Trott in the middle; the 2 tried to take the Pakistan attack on and played some strokes freely. At tea England were 194 for the loss of 3 wickets and looking in a stable condition.
In the 3rd session however Pakistan made a remarkable comeback. Quickly after the resumption Saeed Ajmal cleaned up Kevin Pietersen for 23 runs. Muhammad Aamer from the other end acted fast and enticed Trott to play a drive wide of the off stump; he was caught in the slips after scoring 23 runs. Pakistan team looked to be rejuvenated and hungry for more. Aamer and Ajmal continued to keep the pressure on.
Muhammad Aamer was bowling round the wicket and trying to use the old ball to his advantage. The left arm bowler showed great control and quality as he continued to angle the ball into the right handers and moved it away towards the slip cordon as well. He got his just reward when Collingwood, while trying to fend off one, edged it to Kamran Akmal after scoring just 3 runs. Aamer followed it up with another beauty to Matt Prior and he too was caught by Kamran behind the stumps.
In the early part of the day batting had looked easy for English batsmen, but in the final session it was looking like an altogether different pitch. Eoin Morgan was still a threat to Pakistan’s chances, and Saeed Ajmal foxed him with an excellent ‘DOOSRA’. The ball pitched slightly outside the off stump of the left hander and Morgan went for the spin whereas it went straight through and after sliding off his pads knocked back the off stump. Saeed got his 4th wicket when he bowled a quicker off spinner to clean up his counterpart Graeme Swann.
England had slumped to 220 for 9 from 194 for 3, moments later umpires got together to assess the light and play was called off. England ended the day at 221 for 9 leading Pakistan by 146 runs.
Tags: