Ponting scripts Australia's fight back by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Ground:	Headingley, Leeds
Scorecard:	Australia v Pakistan
Player:	RT Ponting, SR Watson
Event:	Pakistan in England 2010

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DateLine: 22nd July 2010

 

The Australian batting led by the irresistible Ponting wrested the control of the Test match from Pakistan. First Watson once again decimated the Pakistani batting line-up with another five wicket haul to restrict the lead to 170 runs. Then Ponting took over as helped the Australian side inch closer to wipe out the deficit.

 

Resuming the day at 148 for 3 the Pakistani hopes of building a huge lead dissipated soon as the wickets tumbled in quick time. Though Umar Akmal survived a catch which was of a no-ball he soon edged an away swinger from Johnson behind the stumps. With the front-line bowlers struggling Ponting turned to Watson who is slower in pace when compared to Hilfenhaus, Johnson and Bollinger but he located the right length as bowled full and straight.

 

Kamran Akmal who was dropped just before lunch was caught behind on resumption, while Mohammad Aamer padded up to a straight delivery from Watson and found trapped leg before. Umar Gul found his stumps demolished and with wickets falling all around him Malik played one of the most atrocious shot and found his way back to the pavilion. Kaneria and Asif entertained the sparse crowd with some entertaining strokeplay before a run-out terminated the Pakistani innings for 258. Pakistan in the end had a lead of 170.

 

Australia in reply did not face much trouble as the Pakistani bowlers took time to settle down. The prodigious swing that was found in the first innings of the Australian innings and Katich got some runs before Aamer castled the shuffling southpaw. Shane Watson treated Umar Amin's gentle pace with disdain and soon paid the price as he under-edged one onto his stumps. Ponting and his deputy Clarke then took over the scoring duties and after the initial troubles the pair looked at ease. The pair added 81 runs in 25.1 overs as Ponting made a well-assured fifty. Bad light then forced the players to go off the field when the Australian score was 136 for 2.