Date-stamped : 25 Nov95 - 10:32 Test #1313 Australia v Pakistan, 2nd Test. Bellerive Oval, Hobart. 17,18,19,20,21 November 1995 ====> Day 1, 17 Nov 95 Mushtaq lifts visitors - Peter Deeley First day of five: Pakistan (33-2) trail Australia ( 267) by 234 runs LEG spin continues to dominate this series. This time, however, the wiles of Pakistan`s Mushtaq Ahmed was the decisive factor. In Brisbane, Shane Warne led Australia to victory with 11 wick- ets. Here the chubby face of Somerset`s Mushtaq shone with delight as he returned his best figures for his country, five for 115, as Pakistan -- atoning for their abysmal showing in the first Test - skittled out Australia for 267 half an hour before the first day`s close. True to form, however, Pakistan`s brittle batting let them down in the final nine overs. Glenn McGrath collected wickets with successive balls leaving the tourists on 33 for two. Despite again losing the toss, Wasim Akram set the tone for a more determined display by Pakistan with the day`s sixth ball when his swinging yorker accounted for Michael Slater. David Boon, in front of his home crowd, was playing with great freedom when he strayed too far from his crease, seeking a single off Mushtaq. The throw from Ijaz at cover point was wide but wicketkeeper Moin Khan acrobatically dragged it back onto the stumps with his left hand to run Boon out. It was left to Mark Waugh, playing in his 50th Test match, to provide the backbone of the Australian innings with a defiant 88 despite being in considerable pain from a back injury. Source :: The Electronic Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk) Contributed by The Management (help@cricinfo.com) ====> Day 1, more Pakistan 33-2 in reply to Australia s 267 in 2nd test - Qamar Ahmed It would have been a satisfying first day for Pakistan, had they not lost their two wickets for 33 at the close of play after bowling Australia out for 267 in the first innings of the second Test at the Bellerive Oval. Leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed`s 5 for 115 in Australia`s far from im- pressive batting performance deserved to be complimented in a much better fashion than it was. Having lost two wickets in nine overs and only 40 minutes play remaining. There is plenty to be done to survive, and see that they manage a lead. Failing that, there could be trouble in store. Saleem Elahi, who struggled for 23 minutes for his 13, did not seem to have any clue to negotiate Craig McDermott and Glen McCrath. He played onto his stumps in McGrath`s third over when 13 and the night-watchman Mushtaq Ahmad who earlier on had picked up his first haul of five wickets in his 19th Test, was leg be- fore in the same over off his next ball. Aamir Sohail and Ram- iz Raja barely saw the day off without any further damage. It certainly does not augur well for the rest of the batting which has already been jolted by Shane Warne in the first Test. McGrath is not the only threat on a wicket which is seaming on which Wasim Akram bowled superbly for his 3 for 42 but also McDermott and Paul Reiffel could be as dangerous. Not to mention Shane Warne who has the ability to exploit any kind of wicket and will surely be encouraged by the fact that little Mushtaq has tricked his colleagues on the same surface after Mark Taylor had won the toss and decided to bat. Mushtaq, one of the two changes in the Pakistan side besides Salim Malik, bowled magnificently. Playing in place of off- spinner Saqlain Mushtaq, he was brought in the 15th over with Australia on 37 for one and he bowled unchanged till after tea having sent 27 overs for 95 runs for his three wickets. He was back again after three overs to bag two more wickets and with it to destroy the Australian middle order as well. With Waqar Younis not in full flight and Mohammad Akram, not bowling well in this match, Mushtaq`s inclusion must have come as a blessing in disguise for Wasim Akram and the rest. Had Moin Khan not dropped a difficult leg side chance when Mark Waugh flicked one to leg off Wasim Akram when he was 17, things perhaps could have been a lot rosier. Waugh finished with 88 runs to delay the demise of the Australian innings. Michael Slater survived an appeal on the first ball of Wasim Akram when he was trapped but was not on the last delivery of the first over. David Boon and Mark Taylor then shared a 68-run partnership for the second wicket. A throw from Ijaz Ahmed, who had replaced injured Salim Malik saw Boon off as he was sent back attempting a single. Boon had made 34. Umpire Dickie Bird sought the help of the third umpire but the video link was not in opera- tion and he had to decide himself on the run-out. From 91 for 2 at lunch Australia added another 103 runs in the second session to lose Taylor for 43, Steve Waugh for 7 and Greg Blewett for 0. Taylor played onto Wasim, Waugh was caught at the wicket off Mushtaq while cutting and Blewett was bowled off a googly. Ian Healy, who was dropped by Ramiz Raja off Mushtaq at mid-wicket, was later caught by Basit for 37 having put on 55 with Mark Waugh for the sixth wicket. The last five wickets were gone with 56 runs added as Australia collapsed but not before Waugh made 88 in 223 minutes stay with eight fours and not before Warne had hit three sixes off Mushtaq to prolong the innings. Source :: Dawn Wire Service Contributed by The Management (help@cricinfo.com) ====> Day 2, 18 Nov 95 Pakistan blow their chance - Peter Deeley Second day of five: Australia (267 & 107-0) lead Pakistan (198) by 176 runs PAKISTAN looked a gift horse in the mouth in Hobart yesterday and, having spurned it, probably threw away their best chance in this Test series. Shane Warne broke a toe batting on the first day and in the ab- sence of Australia`s tormentor-in-chief, the visitors were presented with a wonderful opportunity to build a first-innings lead. Instead their batsmen produced another unimpressive, weak-kneed performance. Bowled out for 198, which left Australia 69 ahead, Mark Taylor and Michael Slater then added 107 in quick time to leave the home side 176 runs in front after two days. If ever there was an opportunity for Pakistan, 1-0 down in the series, to take the ascendancy for the first time, it was the thought of an inactive Warne nursing his foot in the dressing- room. He had been hit on the toe, cracking a bone, by Waqar Younis while batting on the first day. This was the first time in 36 Tests that the home team had been unable to call on the man with the golden arm: as unpalatable a prospect for them as eating an Australian Four-and-Twenty Pie without the mushy peas. With 187 wickets at an average of under 24, Warne has underpinned the Australian attack on virtually every Test occasion in the last four years. Already he has been ruled out of the Victoria State side for the game with Pakistan in Melbourne next week and there are doubts as to whether he will make the final Test in Sydney at the end of this month. Mark Waugh, the only other spinner in the side, had back trouble and could only send down eight overs and it was a situation made for Pakistan to exploit to the full. Instead, some sloppy shots and a failure to buckle down and build big partnerships allowed Australia to climb out of trouble. From the way Slater in particular attacked the Pakistan bowlers in the final 100 minutes, pulling and driving his way to a half-century off 58 balls, the game - weather permitting - and the three-match series are already Australia`s for the taking. The Pakistan misery continued when Moin Khan, no mean batsman, tried to hit McDermott across the line and was bowled Amir Sohail was caught from a feathered edge off Paul Reiffel but Ramiz Raja fleetingly promised better things when he hit a sturg- gling Craig McDermott for 15 in an over. Then Reiffel claimed his second wicket when Ramiz, the only man to pass 50, pushed back a low return catch. This was the first of seven wickets to fall for 72 runs in the space of two hours. Steve Waugh gained the wicket of Inzamam-ul-Haq with his warm-up ball, the result of a prod at a wide legside delivery and Basit Ali once more failed to live up to his promise when Glenn McGrath got him leg before. The Pakistan misery continued when Moin Khan, no mean batsman, tried to hit McDermott across the line and was bowled. Many here have wondered how Moin can hold his place as wicketkeeper batsmen when a player of the talent of Rashid Latif - who has not played a full game on tour - is in the party. Pakistan`s plight was highlighted by the impetuosity of Wasim Akram, who, if ever there was a moment calling for caution, flashed at McDermott and was brilliantly held by Taylor at first slip. Ijaz Ahmed, replacing his injured brother-in-law, Salim Malik, briefly reminded his colleagues that successful Test bat- ting is as much about restraint as assault, staying to the close for 34 accumulated in two hours. Perhaps Pakistan were unfortunate in having to bat on a cold, blustery day when the pitch had been freshened by rain. But they are a shadow of the side that won the World Cup and their last two series in England. That was never better exemplified than when Waqar, devoid of the fire and sharpness which once made him such a lethal bowler, was hit for 32 in four overs. The Australian openers reached their ninth century stand when Slater imperiously pulled Mohammad Akram for six. Source :: The Electronic Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk) Contributed by The Management (help@*ogi.edu) ====> Day 2, more Pakistan in trouble in 2nd test also - Qamar Ahmed Pakistan in the absence of the ace Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne who has been ruled out of this match because of a broken toe in his left foot, floundered a golden opportunity to make a sizeable score and take a firm grip on the second Test being played at Bellerive Oval. Instead they are now faced with the prospect of yet another de- feat after being restricted in the first innings to 198 to con- cede a respectable lead of 69 on the first innings to Australia who at the close of play had enhanced their chances further by increasing it to 176 having scored 107 in their second innings. Mark Taylor with 42 and Michael Slater with 62 had seen the afternoon off without being separated. Four stoppages during the day, one before lunch and three in, the afternoon because of bad light caused a loss of 82 minutes play but that was compensated with an extended hour`s play. But it certainly is no excuse for Pakistan`s batting failure. They were no good. Lacking in application they flustered against Glen McGrath, Paul Reiffel and Craig McDermott on a wicket which held no terror for them. McGrath had 3 for 46, Reiffel picked up 4 for 38 and McDermott 2 for 72 with Steve Waugh joining them with the prized wicket of Inzamam-ul- Haq who made 27 after 88 minutes of defiance. If not for a determined knock of 59 by Ramiz Raja, things perhaps could have been much more nauseating. One however shudders to think the fate of Pakistan`s blighted first innings if Warne was available. He was declared unfit before the start of play on the second day after it was discovered that the ball which hit him from Waqar Younis when he came in to bat on the first day had chipped his left foot toe bone. With the knowledge that he may be out for at least fortnight, the Pakistan batsmen should have elevated their spirits but once again they ceased to rise to the occasion. Even Ijaz Ahmed, who battled for nearly two hours for his un- beaten 34 failed to save them from the inevitable. For a dis- jointed batting line-up like this there is no guarantee that in the second knock they will come out better. The pressure of a target of over 300 could be humiliating. The writing apparently seems to be already on the wall but things do happen in this game. Pakistan had resumed the day at 33 for 2 and had taken their score to 78 at lunch when rain halted play for 54 minutes. On resumption Aamir Sohail was caught at the wicket by Ian Healy low down for 32 off Reiffel. Taylor in the slip gasped in amazement when Darrell Hair, the Australian umpire, raised his finger. Sohail was not happy. With Ramiz he had added 55 runs for the third wicket. Ramiz dropped by McDermott at long leg off Reiffel when 35 then hit three fours in a row off McDermott on the off side to reach his 19th fifty in Tests with the help of six fours. Sixteen runs were taken off McDermott`s 12th over. But when 59 Ramiz was de- ceived off a slower ball and was caught and bowled by Reiffel. Inzamam seemed to be steady but he too perished when he flicked one to leg from Steve Waugh. Basit Ali made 2 before being given out by Hair playing half forward. Moin Khan played across the line and had his stumps flattened when 12 and Pakistan at tea, with 178 for 7, were on way to disaster. Wasim Akram slogged after tea and Taylor, who rarely misses any chance in the slips, got both hands to catch Wasim on 2. Waqar Younis was off the mark with two fours in a row off McDermott. He was dropped too off him when 8 Slater but Reiffel had him taken at point for 10 and then in the same over had Mohammad Akram leg before. Source :: Dawn Wire Service Contributed by The Management (help@*ogi.edu) ====> Day 3, 19 Nov 95 Taylor increases the odds against Pakistan escape - Peter Deeley Third day of five: Pakistan (198 & 15-0) need 361 runs to beat Australia (267 & 306) IT MAY be a trifle indelicate to mention it in the context of this Pakistan tour but local bookmakers are offering 10-1 against the tourists scoring the further 361 runs they need to win this second Test and square the series. The Pakistan players, of course, will not be indulging. Neither will the Australians who, from this season, are forbidden to wager on matches in which they are involved. But in the soukhs of Dubai, on the Bombay stock exchange and behind the tea-houses of Lahore the betting will undoubtedly be heavy and the telephone lines to Australia clogged with inquiries about the weather and the latest score. Just over a year ago Pakistan reached their highest fourth- innings winning total, 315 for nine, against Australia in Kara- chi, in a game later overshadowed by allegations of attempted match-fixing. Now Shane Warne is missing from the Australian attack because of his broken toe, fill-in spinner Mark Waugh is suffering from back trouble and the pitch is easing out. So there is a faint chance that a Pakistan side, comparing un- favourably with the teams from the eras of Imran Khan and Javed Miandad, can pull off something not far short of a miracle. They have two full days to atone for the Brisbane defeat and Mushtaq Ahmed, with nine wickets in the match, has shown how lethal a good leg-spinner can be on this pitch, and how much Aus- tralia will miss Warne. At the start of the third day an opening partnership between Mark Taylor and Michael Slater appeared to have sealed the outcome. The 120 stand, their ninth over the century mark, had come at a run a minute when Slater was undone by Mushtaq`s top-spinner. It was then up to the Australian captain to guide his side through the day, with his 14th Test hundred. Wasim Akram chose to attack from the outset and the pressure put on the batsmen paid dividends. David Boon chased a wide-pitched leg break into the hands of backward point, Mark Waugh quickly chopped on and his brother, Steve, was caught off a bottom edge. Greg Blewett failed again, swivelling on one leg to pull Wasim and finding square leg. Taylor was sixth out after a patient in- nings lasting almost six hours when Waqar Younis produced a swinging yorker which rocked back middle stump. Paul Reiffel was bowled by a beautiful wrong `un from Mushtaq and Australia`s face was saved only by some late hitting by Craig McDermott and Ian Healy. Amir Sohail limped off with a thigh strain after two overs of the Pakistan innings but the tourists have lifted their standards and could yet raise one final push for victory. Source :: The Electronic Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk) Contributed by The Management (help@*ogi.edu) ====> Day 3, more Herculean task in 2nd test for Pakistan - Qamar Ahmed Faced with a monumental task of making 376 runs to win the second Test, Pakistan in the 10 overs remaining made 15 with loss at the close of the third day against Australia at Bellerive Oval. Two full day`s play remain in the game and time is not the signifi- cant factor, but the main things are survival and runs. The wick- et is ideal, the Australian bowling is limited and in the absence of the leg-spinner Shane Warne, the score is attainable but only if two of the frontline batsmen share a sizeable stand. The target here is formidable because of the fact that so far in the last three innings of the present series, Pakistan has not been able to pass even 250 runs. The frontline batsmen have the ability but they lack application and reliability. They have also suffered a setback at the start of their second innings when Aamir Sohail had to retire hurt in the third over after being struck on the left leg off Craig McDermott delivery. Amir`s contribution could be a major factor if Pakistan is able to get any where near the required score or past it. The form of the rest of the batsmen except Inzamam does not promise much. If only they had not allowed an opportunity slip in the first in- nings and had taken a lead things could have been a lot encourag- ing. The Pakistan bowlers, however, once again played their team back in the game on the third morning. Australia with 107 without loss and with an overall lead of 176 had looked formidable but within 47 minutes of play they had lost three wickets, that of Michael Slater, David Boon and Mark Waugh with only 25 runs ad- ded. A century (123) by Mark Taylor however dashed any hope that Pak- istan had of minimising the lead. Australia with 306 for 9 then left Pakistan on their own mercy. Mushtaq Ahmed and Wasim Akram with 4 for 83 and 3 for 72 had still done a great job to restrict Australia. The first to go in the morning was Slater who added only 11 more runs to his 62 overnight. His opening stand with Taylor was ended by a Mushtaq flipper which trapped him in front. His 73 contained eight fours and a six. Boon, having survived a leg before appeal against Muashtaq, cut him sluggishly to Waqar Younis at point before he had scored. Taylor, who had resumed at 42 reached his fifty with four fours in 144 minutes stay and later Mark Waugh, playing in his fiftieth Test, chopped a delivery from Wasim Akram on his stumps when 3. At lunch Australia with 167 for 3 led by 236 runs. Taylor and Steve Waugh added 57 runs for the fourth wicket before Waugh was caught at the wicket off Mohammad Akram for 29 but Taylor reached his 14th Test century before a shaky Greg Blewett was dismissed by Wasim Akram for 11. Taylor`s patient hundred had come in 309 minutes batting with ten fours. He also had another valuable stand of 44 for the fifth wicket before Blewett departed. In the second session 87 runs were added. Pakistan`s patchy ground fielding and some erratic bowling by Mohammad Akram also helped Australia`s cause. Taylor was yorked after tea by Waqar, Paul Reiffel misjudged a googly from Mushtaq but Ian Healy and McDermott put on 40 runs for the eighth wicket to rally the innings. Mushtaq and Wasim then struck to dismiss McDermott for 20 and Healy for 24. Source :: Dawn Wire Service Contributed by The Management (help@*ogi.edu) ====> Day 4, 20 Nov 95 Pakistan are crushed by on-song Australia - Peter Deeley Fourth day of five: Australia (267 & 306) beat Pakistan (198 & 220) by 155 runs THE Australian dressing-room vibrated to the strains of the team anthem Beneath the Southern Cross yesterday after they had wrapped up the second Test, and the series, against Pakistan in- side four days. The views of the opposing captains suggest Test grounds will be ringing to this particular male choir with increasing regularity. Mark Taylor believes Australia are now indisputably "number one in the world", and Wasim Akram sees nobody on the horizon to dispute that claim. Pakistan raised their game at Hobart after the resounding defeat in Brisbane, but their best was simply not good enough. Needing 376 in the fourth innings to win - two days to get the runs and no Shane Warne to torment them - many of their batsmen capitulated too readily, though two dubious leg-before decisions helped the side on their way to a 155 run defeat. The decisions came at an untimely moment, when Pakistan had over- come a shaky start and were beginning to look as if they might pull off an unlikely victory - only two sides have ever scored more runs in a fourth innings to win a Test. Dickie Bird`s decision against Ramiz Raja on the back foot might have been missing leg-stump, and the decision by local umpire Darrell Hair to send Ijaz Ahmed on his way playing no stroke to Greg Blewett was, on the evidence of television replays, highly debatable. The Pakistan of old might have made complaining noises at such apparent injustice. This, however, is a new broom, and Wasim was diplomacy personified. "We shall give our report to ICC so I can`t comment." Pakistan`s weakness was apparent from the start when Salim Elahi, in his second Test, again looked out of his depth. Glenn McGrath has assumed the premier strike role with 13 wickets in two Tests and he dug in a short ball which Elahi fended off tamely to short-leg. Aamir Sohail has been Pakistan`s most consistent batsman. A su- perb striker of the cover-drive, he had slowly dragged the side back into the game with the more cautious Inzamam-ul-Haq in a 70-run stand. Taylor tossed the ball to Blewett and with his third delivery came his first Test wicket. Sohail`s dismissal was the one that virtually assured Australia the game. Sohail, on 57, tried to clip the ball off his pads over square- leg, but the tall frame of Brendon Julian, fielding as substi- tute, reached up and made the catch look like a routine goalkeeper`s save. Rightly could Taylor, man of the match, say afterwards: "There have been rumours that without Warne we are no good. I think we`ve disproved that one now." Source :: The Electronic Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk) Contributed by The Management (help@*ogi.edu) ====> Day 4, more Pakistan mauled in 2nd test, lose series - Qamar Ahmed A defeat in the second Test was inevitable. It could have been delayed but not avoided. After tea on the fourth day it did come when Australia having set a mammoth target of 376 to win, bowled Pakistan out for 220 in their second innings to win the match by 155 runs and thus take the series 2-0 to claim themselves the champions of Test cricket. Their victory against Pakistan virtually confirms their status now, though unofficially. The outcome of this Test at Bellerive Oval became very much predictable from the second day when Pakis- tan failed to take a first innings lead after bowling Australia out cheaply (267) in the first innings. The decisions given against some of the Pakistan batsmen were surprising and atrocious. Bird, as we all know has a good, and Hair, true to his reputation was as much to be blamed. Ageing Bird not only messed it up for Pakistan by declaring Ramiz Raja and Inzamam-ul-Haq leg before off deliveries high out but with it dented his reputation. Everyone agreed, including the Australian Press. Sadly the players can t talk about it because of the ICC code of conduct which has no provisions to challenge the mistakes of umpires but has all the power to punish the players, on occa- sions unjustifiably. Their displeasure over detestable umpiring was further compounded by the ICC referee Raman Subba Row`s decision to fine Aamir Sohail 50 per cent of his match fee and impose a deferred two match sentence for breach of Rule 2 of ICC`s code of conduct re- garding bringing the game in disrepute. His crime, according to the referee, was that the batsman threw his bat following his dismissal. Sohail was harshly treated. He did not deserve what he got. After being caught at square leg by Brendon Julian, the substitute for Warne off Greg Blewett when well set on 57, he was disgusted by himself to have played a bad shot. Walking back to the pavilion he had banged the turf in disappointment. The bat fell off his hand and he had not thrown it in the air or in dissent. Surely the referee should have taken that into consideration. But he didn t. It was shocking. Not that Pakistan had lost the Test and the series that they showed their disgust about it but they deserved a lot better for their effort in the second innings in trying circumstances. If not for poor umpiring, Pakistan from 132 for 3 could have pulled up a surprise or at least could have managed to reduce the margin of defeat. Pakistan had started the fourth day`s play at 15 without loss and staring in the face of an imminent defeat. After 12 runs Saleem Elahi was taken by David Boon at short leg off a bouncer from Glen McGrath when 17. Lacking in technique he could not fend and lobbed the ball in the air. Ramiz Raja, who had scored 59 in the first innings, once again appeared to be in the right frame of find while making 25 in 122 minutes was given out by Dickie Bird when Craig McDermott hit him on the pad. The ball was rearing up and could have missed even the sixth stump. With Sohail who had come in at the fall of the first wicket he had added 35 runs for the second wicket. At lunch Pakistan with 82 for 2 still required 286 runs to win. The target was a long way away but in sight considering the way in which Sohail had taken control. He reached his fifty in 127 minutes batting with five fours to go past a 50 partnership in 54 minutes. Blewett`s sudden introduction in the attack resulted his exit. On the third ball of his first over he drove uppishly to leg and was caught when 57 but not before he had put on 70 runs with Inzamam-ul-Haq for the third wicket. Ijaz Ahmed, was off the mark with a four to mid-wicket off McDer- mott but fell to Blewett when 4 while padding outside the off stump. It was a shocking decision by umpire Hair. Not much later Inzamam who had started to blossom with 40 already made was given out leg before to Paul Reiffel while trying to pull a rising delivery. Basit Ali was bowled for 5 by Reiffel, attempting a drive and leaving a big gap between bat and pad to continue with his poor form in Tests. In the last 11 innings in Tests he has now made only 77 runs and in the last eight innings against Australia a mere 48 runs, which certainly does not augur well for a man who is so much rich in talent. With his dismissal, the gates were now open for the Australians who had reduced Pakistan to 178 for 6 at tea. Wasim Akram in desperation hit a few lusty blows on the on side and through the covers. One hit from him landed in the crowd at extra cover when he drove McGrath. At 33 he was caught by Blewett off McGrath having put on 48 runs for the seventh wicket. With Moin Khan who became one of the three victims of the new ball which was taken at 206 for 7, Mark Waugh took a simple catch in the second slip to see him off McGrath. The bowler struck again by taking Waqar Younis caught at mid-off and bowling Mush- taq Ahmed - McGrath`s reward being 5 for 61. Reiffel had 3 for 42 and Blewett 2 for 25 to bring victory to Australia. Source :: Dawn Wire Service Contributed by The Management (help@*ogi.edu)