-
Nathan Hauritz - Source: Photosport -
Related
A Nathan Hauritz delivery that ripped from the rough has
Australia confident they can bowl out Pakistan and win the first
Test at the MCG.
Australia enter the final day with a decent edge over the tourists,
who will resume on 3-170 chasing a world record 422 to win.
Skipper Mohammad Yousuf (45 not out) and Umar Akmal (27 not out)
hold the key to Pakistan's chances of saving the match or pulling
off an upset on a pitch still playing well.
Australia set Pakistan the big target after opener Shane Watson
overcame a major scare on 99 - when he was dropped at square gully
- and reached his maiden Test century, after spending 67 minutes in
the 90s.
Watson had three times fallen short this summer, yet finished
unbeaten on 120 when Ricky Ponting declared for a second time this
match, with the score 8-225.
Australia were also buoyed by Hauritz's offspinner that bowled
Faisal Iqbal (48) with an hour to play on Tuesday.
Shudder
Hauritz sent a shudder through the tourists' camp when his delivery
bit back on Iqbal, who was shaping to cut and was bowled.
That delivery, and the reverse swing left-arm quicks Mitchell
Johnson and Doug Bollinger found, gave Australia hope that the
pitch that has been lifeless for so long is starting to provide
some assistance.
"The ball that bowled Iqbal was a beautiful ball, to see that rip
out of the rough," Watson said.
"Thank God that didn't happen to me when I was batting because I
reckon I definitely would have got out to that.
"I think it made a big difference to us.
"We know the way the wicket is, it's a bit up and down and a few
balls are keeping low and the ball is reversing as well.
"We know all it takes is one opportunity for us to really make the
most of it, because there are a couple of good batters in.
"We know we're going to have to come out and bowl as well as we did
in the first innings, that was most complete bowling performance
I've been involved in the Australian team."
