Saturday, September 03, 2011

Pak bowlers dominate first day as Aussies make 229-9

LONDON: Mohammad Asif took three wickets in a dramatic burst either side of tea as Australia finished on 229 for nine when bad light forced an early close on the first day of the first Test against Pakistan at Lord's here on Tuesday.

Asif took three wickets for no runs in seven balls on his way to a return of three for 53 in 17 overs.

Meanwhile teenage left-arm quick Mohammad Aamer, his new ball-partner, made the early inroads on his way to a haul of three for 66 in 18 overs.

Australia's batsmen all struggled after Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi won the toss and elected to field in overcast, seam-bowler friendly, conditions.

Only left-handed opener Simon Katich, who made 80 but might have been lbw for two, had so far got past fifty although Michael Hussey was 39 not out, with Doug Bollinger unbeaten on nought, at stumps.

Asif struck with the last ball before tea when he had Clarke lbw for 47 to end a third-wicket stand worth 120 with Katich.

And nine balls after the break, Katich pushed uncertainly outside off-stump against Asif and was caught behind by wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal for 80.

Katich, who has scored fifty in each of his last nine Tests, faced 138 balls with nine fours in more than three hours at the crease.

By contrast, three balls later, Marcus North, also a left-hander, was clean bowled between bat and pad by an Asif inswinger for nought.

Hussey pulled Kaneria for six to bring up the 200.

But Australia were 208 for seven after Test debutants Tim Paine (seven) and Steven Smith (one) fell cheaply to Umar Gul and leg-spinner Danish Kaneria respectively.

Pakistan, bidding for their first Test win over Australia in 15 years, saw Aamer, who starred in last week's back-to-back wins over the Aussies at Edgbaston, strike first when he dismissed opener Shane Watson for four to leave Australia eight for one.

The 18-year-old had already had one close lbw decision against Katich, then on two, rejected when he rapped Watson, playing no stroke, on the pad.

English umpire Ian Gould turned down that appeal but next ball Watson again, curiously, padded up.

Gould was in the process of giving him out lbw when the ball trickled onto the stumps and dislodged a bail, meaning Watson was out bowled.

Watson's exit brought Australia captain and star batsman Ricky Ponting to the crease in what could be the 35-year-old's last Test at Lord's.

Ponting, along with India's Sachin Tendulkar and the West Indies' now retired Brian Lara, the other two outstanding batsmen of the last decade, had yet to make a Test century at the 'home of cricket'.

He had made 26 when he clipped Aamer firmly off his pads only for debutant Umar Amin to take an excellent catch at short-leg.

A jubilant Aamer collided with Ponting as he celebrated, just as he'd done when dismissing Clarke in the second Twenty20.

But whereas Clarke patted Aamer on the back, Ponting reacted angrily.

The Aamer/Amin combination almost accounted for Clarke, then on four, when the short-leg failed to hold a tough chance.

This is the first of a two-Test series being played in England because international cricket was suspended in Pakistan following the armed attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore in March last year.

This match was also the first time a 'neutral' Test had been played in England since the 1912 triangular tournament where Australia and South Africa, along with England, made up the competing teams.

Katich stands firm for Australia against Pakistan

LONDON: Simon Katich's patient fifty helped Australia recover from the loss of captain and star batsman Ricky Ponting on the first day of the first Test against Pakistan at Lord's here on Tuesday.

At tea, Australia - after losing the toss - were 171 for three, with left-handed opener Katich, who might have been out for two, unbeaten on 77.

But a third-wicket stand worth 120 ended with the last ball before the interval when Australia vice-captain Michael Clarke was lbw for 47 to seamer Mohammad Asif.

Katich and Clarke came together at 51 for two after Ponting was still left searching for his first Test century at Lord's, having been dismissed for 26.

Ponting, in what could be the 35-year-old's final Test appearance at Lord's, was out when well caught by debutant Umar Amin at short leg after clipping firmly a ball from left-arm quick Mohammad Aamer, who appeared to collide with the Australia captain as he celebrated in his follow-through.

It meant Ponting, India's Sachin Tendulkar and the now retired West Indies great Brian Lara - the three best batsmen of the last decade - had all so far failed to score a Test century at Lord's.

The Aamer/Amin combination almost accounted for Clarke, then on four, when the short-leg failed to hold what would have been a superb diving catch.

Clarke demonstrated excellent footwork to go down the pitch and drive leg-spinner Danish Kaneria for two fours in as many balls while Katich later struck two fours in as many Aamer deliveries.

Katich, who struggled against the swinging ball early on, went to fifty off 117 balls with five boundaries.

Before lunch Aamer, one of the stars of Pakistan's back-to-back Twenty20 wins against Australia at Edgbaston last week, bowled Shane Watson for four in a rain shortened first session.

Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi, after winning the toss in his first Test in four years, elected to field in overcast conditions well-suited to his seam-bowling attack.

Aamer, 18, had an lbw appeal against Katich, on two, rejected but as the Decision Review System is not in use for this series after the Pakistan Cricket Board, the 'home' authority, ruled it out on grounds of cost, the verdict stood.

Watson took a risk in padding up to an inswinger and then, curiously, did the very same thing next ball to a delivery that did enough to dislodge a bail and leave Australia eight for one.

This is the first of a two-Test series being played in England because Pakistan, where the matches should have been staged, became a no-go area for international cricket following the armed attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore in March last year.

This match was also the first time a 'neutral' Test had been played in England since the 1912 triangular tournament where Australia and South Africa, along with England, made up the competing teams.

Sri Lanka disappointed at no review system for India

COLOMBO: Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara said on Monday he was disappointed that the umpire review system would not be used for the upcoming three Test series with India.

“As a player and a team, we are very much for the umpire decision review system,” skipper Kumar Sangakkara said ahead of the Indian series. Sangakkara said the ICC should seriously consider using the review system on a permanent basis to avoid human error at crucial stages of the game. “At high levels of umpiring you get things right about 92 percent of the time. But the eight percent is also important,” Sangakkara said.

Under the ICC rules, the host country needs the consent of the visiting team to use the review system, Sri Lanka Cricket secretary Nishantha Ranatunga said. “We are very much in favour of it. When we checked with India, they were not happy to have it,” Ranatunga said.

‘Best chance’ against Aussies: Afridi

LONDON: The flamboyant Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi sees a chance for his country to surprise Australia here at Lord’s, saying they are beatable as they are not as strong as they used to be.

Talking to the media here at the at Lord’s on Monday, Afridi said if Pakistan ever had a chance against Australia during the last ten years, “this is the time”.

“They are not as powerful as they were in the past but now they are beatable,” he added.

When asked whether the Twenty20 series success was the reason of his newly-found confidence, he said he it was more because true Australian greats are missing from their team.

Afridi admitted that Pakistan are a young and inexperienced team.

“The team gives a new look but all selected members are performers and have got the required talent to meet expectations.”

The all-rounder defended his decision to restart his Test career after an earlier decision to stick to the limited overs game only.

“I think after Yousuf and Younis, the county needed me.”

Pakistan captain showed no remorse when asked how he felt playing a ‘home’ series here in England. “I think that is the best one can do under the given circumstances. We would have loved to play the series at home because it always gives you an extra advantage.”

Afridi was also in no mood to remember the Oval controversy, saying that he has got new team and new management and wants a fresh beginning.

“That is the thing of the past. It is a history now. We have got a new captain, new team and management. What we want is to play positive and attractive cricket here.”

It was in 2006 when Inzamam-ul-Haq-led Pakistan team refused to continue playing after Australian umpire Daryll Hair blamed them of ball-tampering.

And Afridi also vowed to rid his squad of the disharmony that scarred their recent tour to Australia.

“The guys are united,” Afridi said. “It is a difficult job, especially with the different cultures, and the different cities. But the thing is I respect these guys and whatever their problems are I listen and talk to the management.”

Warne backs ‘special’ Smith

SYDNEY: Australian legend Shane Warne said rookie Steve Smith has “all the toys” to become a top leg-spinner ahead of his likely Test debut against Pakistan, but warned against setting expectations too high.

Warne siad that while the 21-year-old could ultimately become “something special”, his development was far from complete.

“He is pretty raw and a work in progress — nowhere near the finished product, he really has to make sure he keeps his feet on the ground. We shouldn’t be expecting too much of him just yet,” warned Warne. Warne said he would have preferred Smith to be given more time to develop and hoped expectations would not be too high.

Sania-Shoaib wedding to be held in Hyderabad on April 11

DUBAI: Shoaib Malik and Sania Mirza are going to be married on April 11 in Hyderabad Deccan, while their wedding reception would be held on April 15 in Dubai and valima reception would be hosted by Shoaib in Lahore on April 17.

However, Shoaib Malik in an exclusive talk with Geo News said that wedding date and venue would be decided by his and Sania’s parents.

He said that he and his family members are very happy.

Shoaib told that he and family members are reaching India on April 7.

The family sources of Shoaib And Sania told that the wedding would take place in mid-April.

He told that the wedding ceremony would be held in Dubai and he is now busy there in shopping for the marriage.

Regarding his first meeting with Sania, he went to dressing room saying ‘no comments’.

Earlier, the Pakistan High Commission in India issued visa to Sania Mirza, her mother Nasim, father Imran Mirza and sister Anam.

According to Indian sources, Shoaib Malik's family is reaching India on April 6 while the wedding ceremony will take place in Hyderabad on April 11 and a reception will be arranged in Dubai on April 15 and valima will be held on April 17 in Lahore.

Meanwhile hearing the news of the marriage, Shoaib’s fans gathered outside his house in Sialkot and began dancing bhangra and they are expressing joy over the news.