Third Test Cricket Report - Australia v Pakistan @ SCG

[RB]

Pretty handy ball by Hazlewood to finish off the Pakistan innings.
Lynn certainly looks the goods in Big Bash-almost 7 yrs since first class debut so makes you wonder if selectors don't see him as suited to longer version of game (Cricinfo says he averages 44 in first class games).
Aggressive start by Warner in 2nd innings!

 

[QF WP]

I believe I said something like that previously :

Arky: "Australia will play 20/20 here, try to pile on 150-200 with an hour still to play tonight, and give themselves a day (an extended day, for what it's worth, and if there's no more rain) and an hour to bowl Pakistan out."

with Renshaw off for the match, it'll end up (at worst) 9/ (on the presumption that Bird won't [can't?] bat?

 

[moa999]

Nice 4th over against Yasir, mostly Warner
664411 - 22 runs

 

[QF WP]

RB, moa999, snabbu - somebody tell me you're watching this....

3.4
Yasir Shah to Warner, FOUR, the reverse sweep this time. Flat outside off, Warner gets low and executes a dinky reverse through point. Fantastic field and bowler manipulation


3.3
Yasir Shah to Warner, FOUR, short and wide, Warner rocks back and nails his cut through point. Poor ball


3.2
Yasir Shah to Warner, SIX, goes again, six more. Tossed up outside off, Warner gets down again and calmly lifts the ball over mid-on. So easy for Warner


The ball's got lost somewhere

3.1
Yasir Shah to Warner, SIX, Warner hammers Yasir over long-on for six. Gets down on one knee, and bludgeons the ball with a cross-batted sweep type stroke.

 

[QF WP]

Some interesting stats on the only two (decent) Pakistani batsmen this series: Batting records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPN Cricinfo

Azhar Ali now the leading scorer (with only 5 innings thus far - so should increase that record) and Younis 8th.

 

[moa999]

And most of the other top entries from 5-test series

 

[QF WP]

Warner at it again and some interesting commentary from cricinfo:

6.5Imran Khan to Warner, FOUR, four more. Wow. Back of a length on off, or just outside. Warner makes room for himself and just guides the ball behind point. Australia's 50 up


Stuart: "Horror scenario for Pakistan here: Amir off and injured, Warner at home, in red hot form, chasing a declaration. Another 100 in a session? Here's hoping!"

6.4
Imran Khan to Warner, FOUR, 137 kph, full and wide from around the wicket, Warner flays and gets a thick outside edge which flies over gully


6.3
Imran Khan to Warner, FOUR, that's just poor bowling. Short and wide outside off, hammered through extra cover for four. A slap off the back foot


6.2

Imran Khan to Warner, FOUR, superb shot. Leant into his stroke. Overpitched outside off, Warner leans forward and nails his drive past cover for four

One of the quickest 50's (and opening partnership) in Test matches (particularly Australia) - 41 balls and then quickest 50's by a player (Warner - 23 balls)? Off to check the records...but they answered it before I could get off screen:

The second fastest fifty in Test history

a great record for Warner (and Australia) but certainly not for the Pakistani's

They'll update this page shortly: http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/284096.html

 

[RB]

RB, moa999, snabbu - somebody tell me you're watching this....

Yep watching on tv. Warner has got Bill Lawrie going, Ian Chappell is still trying to get rid of me to sleep with his attitude

 

[QF WP]

Alas, all good things come to an end:

8.4
Wahab Riaz to Warner, OUT, 148 kph, bowled im. Superb knock that from Warner. Wahab delivers this on a length on off. Warner shimmies down, gives himself room but just plain misses his swing. Knocks over the off bail. Fantastic stuff from Warner, selfless batting
DA Warner b Wahab Riaz 55 (27b 8x4 3x6) SR: 203.70

1/71

 

[Warks]

Argh! I missed this thread being AFF-free the past two weeks. First cricket thread of the summer I think.

Was out at the SCG yesterday, very frustrated by the delays - never more than light drizzle at any stage, they play rugby in the snow in the north of England I heard someone say. Great fun in the crowd with all the pink and the "Niiiiccceeee Gary" shenanigans. Life in the outer (Brewongle concourse) is good when it's not too crowded (unlike an Ashes Test). Amazing amount of pink around, Lowes must have had a sale on floral pink shirts a week ago.

Good to see some action yesterday in the end. Well done to Younus - got a standing ovation on his hundred. Smattering of wickets. Not a bad, if curtailed, day. Left with a couple of overs to go and missed the final Lyon wicket.

Pity Warner couldn't get another ton today but set a new record for the fastest 50 by an Australian (23 balls) and second fastest overall - funnily enough Misbah has that record of 21 balls (against Australia in the UAE).

 

[Warks]

On the team for India I do wonder about the value of Wade - he's not quite the keeper to spin that I'd want. Nevill is surely better?

Can't quite understand Cartwright's selection at this stage either. If he's not going to bowl then he doesn't really have the record with the bat that others do. Shaun Marsh's name has come up again owing to his reputation against spin but he's getting on so you'd think they'd look to the future and stick with Renshaw. If we do any better than 0-4 in India I'll still be a bit surprised. A draw would be a nice change.

 

[QF WP]

Been in meetings and see that the Aussies have been going along nicely...but then Smith gets out:

24.6Yasir Shah to Smith, OUT, and again. Tries the paddle sweep, Misbah wants to review. Smith shakes his head to indicate no glove. Sarfraz was up immediately. Another flat delivery down leg, Smith gets his hands through the shot a tad late, the ball is very close to the glove. Does thee ball kiss the glove? A very very thin spike as ball passes glove. A flatline interspersed by one thin spike is enough for the decision to be overturned. Great catch from Sarfraz, moves well. Another quality Smith knock ends. A little mark on HotSpot too, good decision from the third umpire.

SPD Smith c †Sarfraz Ahmed b Yasir Shah 59 (43b 8x4 1x6) SR: 137.20

2/174

 

[QF WP]

Nice to see you posting again Warks...did you miss my thread for the First Test, I don't think anybody did one for the second Test.

Argh! I missed this thread being AFF-free the past two weeks. First cricket thread of the summer I think.

Was out at the SCG yesterday, very frustrated by the delays - never more than light drizzle at any stage, they play rugby in the snow in the north of England I heard someone say. Great fun in the crowd with all the pink and the "Niiiiccceeee Gary" shenanigans. Life in the outer (Brewongle concourse) is good when it's not too crowded (unlike an Ashes Test). Amazing amount of pink around, Lowes must have had a sale on floral pink shirts a week ago.

Good to see some action yesterday in the end. Well done to Younus - got a standing ovation on his hundred. Smattering of wickets. Not a bad, if curtailed, day. Left with a couple of overs to go and missed the final Lyon wicket.

Pity Warner couldn't get another ton today but set a new record for the fastest 50 by an Australian (23 balls) and second fastest overall - funnily enough Misbah has that record of 21 balls (against Australia in the UAE).

 

[QF WP]

Declaration time after Khawaja and Handscomb continued the onslaught. 2/241 with Khawaja on 79no and Handscomb 40 no (will help both their averages )

 

[QF WP]

So it's now a numbers game. 465 needed...with minimum of 114 overs IIRC

The Aussie bowlers have been in the ice baths and on the massage tables for the last couple of hours...let's get stuck into the soft underbelly which is the Pakistani top order.

 

[QF WP]

One down, 9 to go:

11.6 Lyon to Sharjeel Khan, OUT, aargh. Another pathetic stroke from a frontline Pakistan batsman. Lots of flight on middle and leg, what was Sharjeel trying to do? Not even a percentage stroke. He looks to flick the ball over midwicket, against the spin, with a fielder in place there. Fails to keep it down, fails top clear the infield. Warner is patrolling that area and he picks the fielder out. Low-percentage cricket. Playing with the spin was a better option. Was looking so good too

Sharjeel Khan c Warner b Lyon 40 (38b 6x4 1x6) SR: 105.26

1/51. 4 overs left, so they bring on O'Keefe to the nightwatchman (Shah)

 

[QF WP]

I was hoping for 2 wickets by the end of play, alas only got the one.

6.15pm A good solid reply from Pakistan in an almost insurmountable chase. Could have been so much better had Sharjeel not played a false stroke. Australia began the day by bowling Pakistan out, batting again, hammering Pakistan to all parts of the SCG, and then return to get one wicket. After all of that, Pakistan need 410 runs with nine wickets in hand, a task that may be too far out of reach. All eyes on the weather tomorrow and if Australia can complete a 3-0 whitewash. Another early start tomorrow so see you then, bright and early.

Still 1/55 with 410 still to get seems a tall order, based on the majority of their previous innings here in Australia.

 

[whatmeworry]

Gold coin donation to get in tomorrow. All proceeds go to the McGrath foundation.

 

[Warks]

Saw the 'free' day on offer and am seriously thinking about it again but can't get there early and knowing Pakistan, the afternoon may be too late...

Some serious records were set yesterday:
A run-fest at SCG and Yasir's worst | Cricket | ESPN Cricinfo

 

[QF WP]

Forgot about the early start and I just turned on TV to see the 3rd wicket fall (plumb LBW). Now Younis in. 3/67