England vs Pakistan at The Oval – day one lunchtime report
Pakistan have taken the honours in the first session of the third Test of their series against England, with some sharp fielding ensuring their pace attack gained reward for effort as http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 sent the hosts to lunch on 70-5.
After winning the toss and electing to bat an unchanged England side soon found themselves one wicket down, as Alastair Cook departed for six at the end of the second over, edging a swinging Mohammad Asif delivery behind the stumps, where recalled Pakistan keeper Kamran Akmal surely breathed a sigh of relief as he wrapped his gloves around it.
The early dismissal continues a poor run of form at home this summer for the left-handed opener, who entered this match under increasing pressure to put a respectable score on the board but again failed to deliver, and has now failed to make a score above 30 in eight Test innings for England this summer.
Debutant Wahab Riaz (included in the side to replace injured paceman Umar Gul) soon had his maiden Test wicket, when Andrew Strauss (15) delivered the edge into Kamran’s gloves and although the umpire was reluctant to raise his finger, Pakistan were confident enough to call for a review of the situation.
Replays showed the England captain had indeed nicked the ball, and the keeper was rewarded for again holding onto the catch as he made the perfect start at The Oval after a nightmare performance in the opening match of the series that had resulted in Kamran’s axing for the second Test at Edgbaston.
Jonathan Trott (12) was next to go for England, as Wahab struck again to ensure none of the home side’s top three batsmen had the opportunity to establish themselves at the crease. This time there was no doubt about the edge either, though Trott and Kevin Pietersen may have debated calling for a review for a possible no ball before the batsman walked.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Yasir-Hameed-c2811’s diving catch at second slip too was one for the highlights reel, and Pakistan soon had more reason to celebrate as Paul Collingwood (five) chopped a Mohammad Amir ball into the top of his off stump with just enough force to send the bail tumbling to the ground.
Just as England looked as though they might head to lunch without further loss, Pietersen (six) delivered the outside edge to the keeper who gladly held the catch as Wahab had his third for the day and a dream start to his Test career as he headed to the break with figures of 3-16.
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