PAKISTAN grabbed four wickets in the second session to eye a big first innings lead after David Warner’s aggressive hundred in the opening Test against Australia in Dubai yesterday.
Warner, who made 133, was dismissed third ball after lunch as Australia fumbled to 282-8 at tea on the third day at Dubai stadium, still trailing Pakistan’s first innings total of 454 by 172 runs.
Mitchell Johnson (22) and Steve O’Keefe (four) were at the crease.
Debutant leg-spinner Yasir Shah (2-55) spun one sharply to bowl Warner, who by then had anchored the Australian innings in the first session.
It was the left-hander’s ninth Test century – third consecutive in as many innings – which took Australia to 207-4 at lunch after Pakistan fought back in the extended two-and-a-half hour morning session.
Warner hit 11 boundaries and two sixes during his 174-ball knock but his fall saw Australia slump against spinners.
Mitchell Marsh (27) and Brad Haddin (22) took Australia to 248-5 during their 42-run stand for the sixth wicket but Pakistan broke through with the new ball taken as soon it was due after 80 overs.
Debutant paceman Imran Khan had Haddin bowled off an inside edge while left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar had Marsh leg-before.
Earlier Warner held one end despite the wicket slide.
Warner saw Australia lose Chris Rogers (38), Alex Doolan (five) and skipper Michael Clarke (two) in the space of just 30 runs before he and Steven Smith (22) added 48 for the fourth wicket. AFP
l WELLINGTON: Hashim Amla’s composed century helped South Africa to within a sniff of reclaiming the one-day top ranking after they beat New Zealand by 72 runs to wrap up their three-match series with a game to spare yesterday.
Amla’s 119 led South Africa to an impressive, but not overly daunting, 282 for nine in the second match at Mount Maunganui before the home side failed to get going against a bowling attack that put them under constant pressure.
With Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor out injured, none of New Zealand’s top-order batsmen did themselves any favours in the jockeying for World Cup selection as they were dismissed for 210 in 46.3 overs. Reuters