Watson propels Australia back into reckoning
Source: Agencies |
July 23, 2010, Friday
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SHANE Watson's test best figures of six for 33 allowed Australia to fight back and dismiss Pakistan for 258 on day two of the second test at Headingley yesterday.
A day after the Australians looked to be down and out after being skittled for 88, a fired up Watson powered them back into contention after restricting Pakistan's first innings lead to 170 runs.
Watson, buoyed by the overcast skies that assisted his swing bowling, claimed four wickets for seven runs in 13 balls after taking two wickets in consecutive balls in his first over after the interval. He bettered the five for 40 he claimed at Lord's in the first test.
Pakistan resumed after lunch on 218 for five but lost its remaining five wickets for just 40 runs. The smattering of fans at the neutral venue seemed to enjoy the entertainment, with around half of the estimated 3,000 spectators Pakistani.
The first victim to the fifth ball after lunch was Kamran Akmal (15), who edged a Watson outswinger to Marcus North at first slip.
Mohammad Aamer (0) was leg before wicket to the next delivery and though replays suggested the ball would have avoided the stumps, umpire Rudi Koertzen was influenced by Aamer's decision not to play a shot.
Watson earned his second test five-wicket haul when he bowled Umar Gul (0) and added a sixth when Shoaib Malik (26) attempted a slog but managed a top edge to wicketkeeper Tim Paine.
Just as Australia sniffed the chance of a comeback, spectators were stirred by an entertaining last wicket partnership of 24 between Danish Kaneria (15) and Mohammad Asif (nine not out).
Asif's on drive for four off Watson and Kaneria's pull to the boundary against Mitchell Johnson caused much cheer but frustrated Australia.
The final wicket of Kaneria, run out, caused howls of laughter in a chaotic series of events.
Asif's chip fell short of mid-off but Kaneria, having set off for a single, scrambled back to the crease, fell over and as the umpire called for a third umpire decision, the batsmen ran once more and again Kaneria gambolled into his crease but was out for his previous error.
Australia is seeking an eighth straight test win while Pakistan is trying to level the two-match series having lost at Lord's. The visitors, bowled out for their lowest test total in 26 years, must wipe out the Pakistan deficit and set a defendable target.
A day after the Australians looked to be down and out after being skittled for 88, a fired up Watson powered them back into contention after restricting Pakistan's first innings lead to 170 runs.
Watson, buoyed by the overcast skies that assisted his swing bowling, claimed four wickets for seven runs in 13 balls after taking two wickets in consecutive balls in his first over after the interval. He bettered the five for 40 he claimed at Lord's in the first test.
Pakistan resumed after lunch on 218 for five but lost its remaining five wickets for just 40 runs. The smattering of fans at the neutral venue seemed to enjoy the entertainment, with around half of the estimated 3,000 spectators Pakistani.
The first victim to the fifth ball after lunch was Kamran Akmal (15), who edged a Watson outswinger to Marcus North at first slip.
Mohammad Aamer (0) was leg before wicket to the next delivery and though replays suggested the ball would have avoided the stumps, umpire Rudi Koertzen was influenced by Aamer's decision not to play a shot.
Watson earned his second test five-wicket haul when he bowled Umar Gul (0) and added a sixth when Shoaib Malik (26) attempted a slog but managed a top edge to wicketkeeper Tim Paine.
Just as Australia sniffed the chance of a comeback, spectators were stirred by an entertaining last wicket partnership of 24 between Danish Kaneria (15) and Mohammad Asif (nine not out).
Asif's on drive for four off Watson and Kaneria's pull to the boundary against Mitchell Johnson caused much cheer but frustrated Australia.
The final wicket of Kaneria, run out, caused howls of laughter in a chaotic series of events.
Asif's chip fell short of mid-off but Kaneria, having set off for a single, scrambled back to the crease, fell over and as the umpire called for a third umpire decision, the batsmen ran once more and again Kaneria gambolled into his crease but was out for his previous error.
Australia is seeking an eighth straight test win while Pakistan is trying to level the two-match series having lost at Lord's. The visitors, bowled out for their lowest test total in 26 years, must wipe out the Pakistan deficit and set a defendable target.
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