Australia v Pakistan 1st Test - Perth

[Rachael]

Originally Posted by Maranello

Shaka and Rachael I agree with your conclusions; just wondering though, which would be more demoralising at the end of Day 1...that Australia are 380 for 3... or that Pakistan were all out for 200 (65 overs) and Australia are 100 for 1.

380 for 3 at the end of day one would be fine, as would 550/5 declared: I'm not sure anyone would be overly surprised to see the Aussies get that sort of score against any other team.. including England.. so why should they be surprised tosee them get that sort of score against Pakistan.

All out 200? I think Woolmer might take that as well: if the performances over the past two days are anything to go by... surviving two and a half sessions is going to require something very, very special... and that at 2.5-2.8 an over (normal against McGrath / Gillespie /Warne) would mean a figure around that mark.

[Nikhil]

Pakistan off to a good start. Hayden is back in the hut, as I see it on cricinfo, it's 21/1. Looks like Shoaib is posing some problems with his swing. Hope he keeps it up.

Btw, anyone watching it live? How're the proceedings going along?

[Zainub]

I am Nikhil, its a nice day, little bit cloud cover around, and gentle breeze, temperature in the high 20s, good conditions for test cricket. Our bowlers have so far thankfully been focussed and diciplined, bowled with decent pace without being very, very fast but importantly they put it in good areas.

Matty Hadyen got a good ball, that swung a into him after pitching, he was caught right in front. But the ball that got Ricky Ponting probably wasn't as good, he didn't execute that shot as well as he would have liked, got bowled.

Martyn though was all at sea from the very start facing Sami, never looked comfortable in his brief stay at the crease, after surving a close lbw shout (a/c to hawk eye it was out) he got beaten out side off stump two times in a row, eventually getting caught behind of the fourth ball of the over.

Darren Lehman was the last wicket to go in that session, came way across his stumps, exposed leg stumps, delivery hit middle and part of leg, ugly dismissal that one.

Micheal Clarke was greeted by a nice well directed short one. We look hot. Game dead on here.

[Maranello]

Some salient comments from the cricinfo match report thus far:

Originally Posted by cricinfo

The wicket lived up to expectations, but Pakistan's impressive performance was a result of disciplined bowling. Shoaib and Sami have been known to get carried away, but here, neither fell prey to the temptation of pitching it short. Both kept a full length, swung the ball around, and maintained an excellent line. The fielders were sharp and cut off many drives, choking the runs and putting pressure on a batting line-up which is used to quick runs. The boundaries dried up – there were only six in the entire session – and gradually the discipline yielded results, as three wickets fell in the last six overs before lunch.

My sentiments exactly, even during the 50 run partnership for the 2nd wicket, whilst Ponting was around, Pakistan kept up the pressure, and it paid off with the three wickets later on..

Originally Posted by cricinfo

Sami, who bowled 12 overs on the trot in the session, had looked largely innocuous till then, but suddenly got his rhythm right and bowled an especially testing over to Damien Martyn, finally nailing him for 1. One delivery swung in late and almost won him an lbw, verdict, another seamed away late and beat Martyn, before Sami finally found the outside edge with his next ball. Darren Lehmann was all aggressive intent, clumping a couple of fours through the off side off Sami, but Sami soon got his own back when Lehmann walked too far across his stumps and found it stumps dismantled by another full delivery (71 for 4).

Langer batted through all the mayhem at the other end, content to nurdle the singles and letting plenty of deliveries go by. Pakistan did have one opportunity to nail him, though, but Kamran Akmal was fractionally slow in moving across to the leg side when Langer gloved one off Sami. Langer was on 13 then, and though Pakistan took control later in the session, that miss might still hurt them later in the day.

It would be ideal if we can get Australia for less than 250 after this, would really open up the match I think...

[Maranello]

Clarke out on the first ball after lunch he faced to Akhtar! Caught in slips...and according to Benaud.. "high class pace bowling" from Akhtar.

Excellent field placings from Inzamam too, not giving away too many easy runs but also keeping the pressure by attacking.

[Nikhil]

Whoooooooooo.... 78/5. Clarke just gone. One more to Akhtar. Things are getting hot for Pakistan. Aussies must be thinking about it now.

[Nikhil]

The fat lady did not sing whole heartedly for Pakistan. What a player Adam Gilchrist is. He's the only reason Australia can top every nation without a proper allrounder at their disposal. I think and I firmly think, he's the best all-rounder in world cricket now, and don't give a damn to what others think.

Chalk a team of the century and Adam Gilchrist will be the first name (or may be second after the Don himself). But he's that great. What a knock again. I'm not watching the game live, but expect Pakistan bolwing did not deteriorate all of a sudden. It was a measured and eventually brutal assault from Gilly that has turned the tide in Oz favour.

Well, he's going at over a run a ball and the partnership is worth 142 already.

A small mention of Justin Langer should be made here . Fifth hudred of this year and 21st of the career. But I sicerely believe he's a lucky chap.

[Nikhil]

One more twist. Gilli has just dragged one on from Razzaq. Well, can Pakistan squash the tail now? If Australia gets to 300, it's going to be difficult for Pakistan.

Hmm, the match is certainly very interesting though .

[*Ben*]

If Australia lose this game its gonna make us look like a bunch of poofs, but good on the Pakis ther stickin right up the Aussie's, and i think Pakistan are just lyk the French rugby team, they have a team that turns up and can beat anyone, then the next day they turn up and play like theve just learned how to spell cricket , I certainly hope that doesnt happen to them on day two, and Aktar has certainly come to play

[BlueyM]

I have been at the WACA today, (you can tell from the sunburnt nose )

There were three things that stand out, -
1. the sheer pace and dedication of Akhtar
2. the line and length of Sami, despite his reputation of being "erratic"
3. the grit and determination of Langer at the crease.

While days like this continue, Test cricket will never die.

The Pakistan team had been written off in the media after some poor showings against WA sides in their lead up matches, but today I saw courage and endeavour worthy of the best traditions of the game.

Good luck, Pakistan, (but not TOO much )