Pakistan on top of Australia after first day of Leeds Test
It was a day that belonged to the new captain of Pakistan’s Test Cricket team. When he lost the toss, Salman Butt said, “It’s a good toss to lose”. Ricky Ponting definitely got it very wrong after his team was taken to school by some quality bowling from Pakistan. Ponting opted to bat first in cloudy conditions only to have a nightmare. Records books were updated, Aussie supporters were rolling their eyes, double checking the scoreboard to see if they were reading right. Australia back in pavilion for 88 runs is not a situation fans are familiar with. Australia had no answer to the Pakistani pace attack of, Mohammad Aamer, Mohammad Asif and Umar Gul. The Australians were completely bamboozled by seaming deliveries.
Shane Watson and Simon Katich opened the innings for Australia. Simon came into the match with 10 consecutive fifties. He was lucky to get away in first test but this time he was picked up by Mohammad Aamer very early in the match. The scoreboard had not moved and Pakistan struck again, this time Asif picked up Shane Watson. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Clarke-c51120’s edginess by knocking back his middle stump.
Australian captain was next to go, Ponting after hopping around the crease against some world class seam bowling. Ponting became another LBW victim to Asif. Ricky lost his balance and was plumb in front of the wickets. Australia was in deep trouble on 29-4. “Mr Cricket” Mike Hussey failed to rescue the Australian cause as he was sent back by Umar Gul.
Australia was now hoping two young players, North and Paine, would click. But Pakistan’s captain made a surprise move by introducing part time seamer Umar Amin into the attack. Commentators and experts thought it was a bad decision to give breathing space to Australia. Everything was going Pakistan’s way and so did Butt’s surprise decision. Butt was vindicated of his decision when Amin picked up his first test wicket to send North walking back to pavilion. The Australian tail had wagged in the first test but failed this time against a relentless Pakistani attack.
The Australian innings was wrapped up for only 88 runs. Australia’s pavilion showed a picture of heads hung low with Ponting looking shell shocked. For Australia, it was a complete shocker while the young Pakistani team looked jubilant. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 entered this test with a captaincy crisis but on the field they showed no mercy and looked liked a complete unit.
Pakistani bowling has remained good over the years but it’s the batting that has caused all the problems. Bowlers had delivered once again and it was up to the batting department to step up to occasion. Salman Butt and Imran Farhat opened the innings for Pakistan. Australia was hoping to bowl the same swing and seam as Pakistani bowlers were seen bowling. But things looked completely different this time around. The Pakistani openers confidently negotiated the new ball.
Salman Butt and Imran Farhat made a good start for Pakistan. Butt, like always had a cautious approach while Farhat also managed some quality back foot punches. Pakistan lost its first wicket when the score was 80 with Hilfenhaus clean bowling Salman Butt. Watson picked up Farhat and Azhar to provide Australia something to cheer about. Australian faces showed grim determination and Pakistan ended the day at 148-3.
Ponting’s worries continue as his front line bowlers failed to impress. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746’s prime bowlers Hilfenhaus, Bollinger and Johnson failed to test the Pakistani batting order. Johnson who won the ICC player of the year award was completely out of touch.
Pakistan has a strong grip on this test match and is looking good to end the Australian winning streak. The match is still far from over, and one can never write off Australia in any conditions. Pakistan was well placed in Sydney test as well but ended up being defeated by a strong Australian comeback supported by sloppy Pakistani fielding.
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