Monday, January 04, 2010

The door is ajar

Here in Sydney, it might seem odd to back a team that is down by 204 runs in the first innings but for the time being, that is what I'm going to do. Pakistan have let Australia back into the game by failing to drive home the advantage from 205-2. Losing eight wickets for 128 runs is not a smart thing to do. Australia will not bat as badly as they did in the first innings (Ponting, North, Hussey and Haddin played some truly bizarre shots). And Pakistan will not like chasing anything more 150.

Some crucial factors for me: 1) Will Ponting score a big ton and lead by example? 2) Will Hauritz continue to turn the ball? 3) Will Australia hold their catches? (Gee, will Pakistan hold theirs in the Aus second innings?) 4) If chasing a smallish target, say 165-175, will Umar Akmal suddenly make it all look easy by blasting a rapid 70?

I'm off to the SCG tomorrow for the fourth day's play. Hopefully, the weather and the players will co-operate, for it should be a cracker.

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3 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

You witnessed a great day's cricket Samir and your post has it all covered except for the impotent field settings deployed by Pakistan in the first session.

I doubt you're as excited as I am but I bet your heart was pumping a little harder during that last thrilling session.

Are you making the trip to Hobart too?

1:51 AM  
Anonymous Freddy said...

Still can't believe they lost!

6:05 AM  
Blogger Brendan Layton said...

Picked it like a dirty nose Samir.

Unfortunately I saw no headlines proclaiming 'PANIC-stan' that I predicted following that disastrous loss.

11:47 PM  

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