Watson earns place on Lord's honours board

Published>Wed, Jul 14 10 10:56 PM

Australian all-rounder Shane Watson, primarily an opening batsman these days, earned a place on the Lord's honours board with his medium-pace bowling on Wednesday by running through the frail Pakistan batting.

Watson returned his best test figures of five for 40 from 7.5 overs as Pakistan succumbed for 148 from 40.5 overs in their first innings on the second day of the first test, a deficit of 105.

Only opener Salman Butt provided any sustained resistance with a composed 63 in nine minutes short of three hours, alternating resolute defence with wristy elegance before he was clean bowled by Watson.

Pakistan were uneasily placed at 75 for three, after the Tasmanian pair of Ben Hilfenhaus and debutant wicketkeeper Tim Paine had combined to dismiss Imran Farhat (4) and Azhar Ali (16), when Ricky Ponting invited Watson to bowl from the Nursery End.

The burly all-rounder responded by dismissing the two Akmal brothers in identical fashion within the space of four balls.

Umar Akmal fell lbw for five from the fourth ball of Watson's opening over, shuffling across his stumps. In Watson's following over, Kumar Akmal completely misjudged another full-pitched delivery and was out lbw for a duck without playing a shot.

AFRIDI BLAZES 31

New Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi, scorer of the fastest century in one-day cricket and playing his first test for four years, opted to bring Twenty20 cricket to the test arena.

He lofted Watson over the mid-wicket boundary and mid-off for two sixes in an innings of 31 from only 15 balls including four boundaries. After transforming Watson's figures from two for nought to two for 30 Afridi was caught at mid-off by Mitchell Johnson trying another big hit.

Mohammad Aamer gave Paine his fourth catch of the innings when he was caught behind for a duck.

Watson took a comfortable catch at first slip off Doug Bollinger to dismiss Umar Gul for seven before bowling Butt with a delivery which ducked in late to the left-hander.

He captured his fifth wicket after the tea interval when Steven Smith at third slip snapped up an edge from Danish Kaneria (14).

Michael Hussey with 56 not out frustrated the Pakistan bowlers when play resumed on Wednesday, steering his side from their overnight total of 229 for nine to a more competitive 253 all out.

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