Australia 253 & 334 (Katich 83, Hilfenhaus 56*, Paine 47, Gul 4/61) Pakistan 148 & 114/1 (Butt 58*)
It was a day of firsts at Lord’s. Steven Smith’s first test wicket, Ben Hiflenhaus’ first test 50 and Tim Paine’s first test 47. Although, some things stay the same. Simon Katich made ana predictable score, Marcus North struggled for any runs and the Lord’s pitch went very flat. That is the thing with the Lord’s pitch, the more you play on it, the better it gets. 15 wickets fell yesterday, 348 runs were scored today.
Australia put on 50 with Katich and his nightwatchman Johnson making batting look fairly easy. Johnson went, and Katich kept the momentum up with a partnership with North. Then Katich fell for the 12th time between 75 and 100, soon after, North – who usually makes runs when his place is under this kind of pressure – and Steven Smith both fell and Australia were 8/208.
In came Ben Hilfenhaus, a proper number 11 before Douggie joined the side and took over the role. While recovering from all those injuries Hilfenhaus must have spent all his time batting in the nets. He and Paine put together a 74 run partnership. It was careful, well thought out, and seemed to be carried out with the very minimal about of pressure from a Pakistan side who had seen the clouds go away, the pitch flatten, and didn’t know what else to try.
Paine was everything that his fans thought he would be in test cricket, decisive, smart, technically sound and very patient. It wasn’t the sort of innings Australians are used to at the number 7. There were no sixes, no counter –attack, and little in the way of bravado. Paine just milked a tired Pakistan on an ever flattening wicket with a soft ball and a confused captain. While people knew Paine could bat, they didn’t really expect Hilfenhaus to bat in a similar way. Both men went past Ponting’s top score at Lord’s. Probably trying to restore pride in Tasmanian cricket.
Eventually Paine was outfoxed by Shahid Afridi just three runs short of a 50 he would have treasured and had more than earned. Then Douggie came in, and Australia just kept going. Douggie matched Hilfenhaus’ sensibleness – which is an effort for him – and played some cracking shots as they moved Australia’s total beyond 300 and their lead beyond the record 4th innings chase in test cricket. Hilfenhaus ended up with 56 not out as Douggie made his top score in test cricket, 21.
It meant that Pakistan had to chase 440 to win. More than any side has ever chased in test cricket. With a batting order that couldn’t make 150 in the first innings and generally bats like they have perpetually lost their car keys. In the first innings they were out done by patience bowling from Australia, a receptive pitch and cloud cover moving the ball in the air. In this innings they had none of the above to worry about. Salman Butt continued to bat against the Australians as he always does, and other than Imran Farhat pulling a fairly ordinary ball from Smith to midwicket, Pakistan looked in complete control.
There were two close LBW shouts from Hilfenhaus, one off the last ball of the day that looked very out, but unfortunately Random Rudi was calling his driver at the time and missed it. Hilfenhaus was the pick of the bowlers in the last session, but the ball was not really swinging for him. Bollinger and Johnson were too erratic and Smith bowled ok for someone starting his international career, but didn’t look like taking wickets.
Pakistan ended the day on 1/114, a perfect springboard for a chase of this size. Australia ended the day with a short cover, short mid off and a short mid wicket, had Ponting taken a pick axe to the pitch he couldn’t have made it more obvious that his bowlers were getting little help. The big question now is whether this eccentric collection of Pakistani batsmen can make this record chase. They certainly have the pitch for it, but you’d have to doubt they have the talent or application.
Had they taken Paine or Hilfenhaus early, they’d now be chasing about 300 and would be favourites for the win based on this start. 440 is a lot of runs, even on a good pitch, which is why far better batting lines up than this have never done it. Australia should ruthlessly close out the game early in the day, if not, Ponting, Nielsen and everyone who got a free trip to the UK and earns a CA cheque will have some intense meetings coming up.
Jarrod can be found at cricketwithballs.
