Oracle of Delphi
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Craig HillThird test set for a nail biter
August 7th 2006 07:40
Once again it has been some outstanding batting from both England and Pakistan that has set up a potentially thrilling finish to the third test of the four match series being played at Headingley. With two days still to be played, Pakistan successfully chased down the mammoth 515 total posted by the home side on the first day. Star English batsmen Kevin Pietersen and Ian Bell provided the home side with the start they were looking to achieve, with both posting solid centuries of 135 and 119 respectively. To add to their heavy contribution, seven of the remaining 9 batsmen managed to score over 20, including an exciting slogfest presented by opening bowler Steve Harmison, belting his way to 36 off just 27 balls. Pakistani bowler Umar Gul scored the bulk of the English wickets with a deserved 5 wicket haul.
In reply, the visitors knew that a solid start would a necessity, however this was short lived as they lost their first wicket of Taufeeq Umar for only 34 runs, followed by Salmar Butt only 2 runs later. With things looking sour for the Pakistanis at 2/36, batsmen Younis Khan and first test hero Mohammed Yousef paired up to steady the ship, eventually putting the visitors in a position where they could even overtake England's staggering total. With Yousef run out on 192, the visiting side looked more than comfortable at 3/399, however Khan's wicket (173) brought about a mini collapse, which saw them flounder from 4/447 to be dismissed for 538, with captain Inzamam-ul-Haq against amongst the controversy as he fell for 26 after falling on his own stumps. Spinner Monty Panesar was the pick of the English bowlers, with an extremely economical 3/127 off a marathon 47.4 overs.
With a slender of 23 runs, who knows how the test match will unfold, but it is a must win for the Pakistan side, who are hoping to draw the series one a piece in order to create a sudden death battle at Kennington Oval, London.
Pietersen flicks one away during his outstanding 135. Image Getty Images
In reply, the visitors knew that a solid start would a necessity, however this was short lived as they lost their first wicket of Taufeeq Umar for only 34 runs, followed by Salmar Butt only 2 runs later. With things looking sour for the Pakistanis at 2/36, batsmen Younis Khan and first test hero Mohammed Yousef paired up to steady the ship, eventually putting the visitors in a position where they could even overtake England's staggering total. With Yousef run out on 192, the visiting side looked more than comfortable at 3/399, however Khan's wicket (173) brought about a mini collapse, which saw them flounder from 4/447 to be dismissed for 538, with captain Inzamam-ul-Haq against amongst the controversy as he fell for 26 after falling on his own stumps. Spinner Monty Panesar was the pick of the English bowlers, with an extremely economical 3/127 off a marathon 47.4 overs.
Oops! Inzamam-ul-Haq falls on his stumps. Image Getty Images
With a slender of 23 runs, who knows how the test match will unfold, but it is a must win for the Pakistan side, who are hoping to draw the series one a piece in order to create a sudden death battle at Kennington Oval, London.
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