Pakistan on top as England lose early wickets at Lord’s
The final test between England and Pakistan is sure to be a hard fought one. England was looking to wrap it up by winging it 3-1. While a rejuvenated http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 1-1.
The first day of the match started well for Pakistan, on an overcast day Salman Butt won the toss and elected to make use of the conditions and chose to bowl. Muhammad Asif got England’s captain, Andrew Strauss when England had scratched their way to 31. Play was stopped with England at 39/1, and did not resume for rest of the day.
Day 2 was much better day weather wise, there was still a heavy cloud cover on a fine London summer morning. The sun was able to time and again shine through so cricket did get underway on time.
Mohammad Amir was once again in his elements. The left arm fast bowler got the wicket of Alistair Cook with no additions from yesterday’s score. Amir got the ball to pitch on good length and just move away, Cook dashed at it and edged it to Kamran Akmal. Cook scored 10 runs from 31 balls with 1 four.
Next man in was Kevin Pietersen, KP as he is known, was sent packing on the very first ball by the young tear away from Pakistan. He bowled a near perfect delivery to Pietersen, that found the edge and Kamran Akmal’s gloves. Amir was on a hat trick.
Even though Cook was dismissed on the last ball of 13th over and Pietersen on first ball of 15th, it still does count as a hat trick ball. Paul Collingwood managed to survive the hat trick ball, but two balls later he too was sent back by Amir. He was out LBW as Amir got one to nip back and trapped him LBW for naught. From 39/1 overnight, England was reduced to 39/4.
Jonathan Trott continued to battle it out on the other end, while wickets kept tumbling at the other. The dangerous Eoin Morgan loves these scenarios and it was imperative to get him early. He became Amir’s fourth victim. Morgan eagled one to the slips without opening his account and was the third consecutive English batsmen to have been dismissed for naught in the middle order.
At 47 for 5 England was in a deep hole. Once again it was Jonathon Trott, who came good for England. Along with Matt Prior, he started the fight back. The two right handers showed good resolve and determination to keep out the Pakistan attack. The pair added more than 50 runs before lunch. England ended at 97 for 5 at lunch and managed to stabilise their innings after another top order collapse.
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