Pakistan v Australia 1st Test – Amer and Asif put Pak on top

It was great to see Pakistan finally putting not only fight against the Aussies but at stumps on day1 of first test match at Lords Australians looking down and out after put into bat by the Pakistan. Both the pacer Md. Amer and Asif has taken three wickets each to break the backbone of Australian batting.

Having said that, now it all depends on the not out batsman Mr. Cricket (Machael Hussey) to guide Australian 1^st inning score to some respectability. With only one wicket in hand it will be not an easy job for the Tasmanian, he needs full support from D.Bollinger to put on something for Australian bowlers to bowl at.

Australia started very poorly loosing opener Shane Watson (4 runs) in the fifth over of their inning, then lost Captain Ricky Ponting (26 runs). With 51/2, Pakistan was looking right on top at this situation but superb century run stand between S.Katich (80 runs) and M.Clark (47 runs) put Australians back on track.

Both added 120 runs for the 3^rd wicket to carry Australia into the ascendancy on 171 for 2, but when M.Clarke dismissed to the final ball just before the tea, trapped leg before the wicket by Md. Asif for 47 runs, Pakistan had received a vital boost at the end of a frustrating passage of play, and they made the most of that in the last session taking 6 Australia wickets in the 23 overs of possible play.

Pacer Md. Asif who struggled early on, made full use of the condition in the last session and removed S.Katich and M.North in quick succession to reduce the Australian score to 174/5. The debutants, Tim Paine and Steven Smith were the next to go – Paine had been entrenched for 46 balls for his 7 when he nicked off to Umar Gul, before Smith was unluckily adjudged lbw to Danish Kaneria.

At the other end M.Hussey looked in good touch with five crisp boundaries and one slog sweep six over square leg, however M.Johnson and Ben Hilfenhaus both dismissed cheaply to leave Hussey in an awakward situation. M.Johnson was bowled by D. Kaneria with the flighted delivery while B.Hilfenhaus had his stumps rattled by Aamer.

Match Summary (Day1 Stump)

Australia 1^st Inning– 229/9 in 70 Overs

S.Katich- 80                                        M.Clarke– 47

Md.Asif– 17-5-53-3                            Md.Aamer- 18-2-66-3

For Complete Scoreboard Visit Cricinfo

Related posts:

1. Australia beat Pakistan by 140 runs to take 2-0 lead in five match ODI series
2. Australia v Pakistan 2010 Cricket Series in England
3. New Zealand thrashed Australia by 2 Wickets in 1st ODI
4. Gambhir sits at top while Kallis and Amla rises in ICC Test Ranking for Batsman
5. Australia tour of England 2010 Fixtures