ADELAIDE: Australia Win Toss, Batting Against Pakistan in 3rd ODI, Australia was 44 without loss in third one dayer against Pakistan in 10th over of the match at Adelaide Oval on Tuesday.

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Ricky Ponting won the toss and chose to bat first at the Adelaide Oval. Australia are looking to take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series against Pakistan, who have made two changes.

Mohammad Aamer was ruled out with a groin injury and was replaced by Mohammad Asif, who missed the second game in Sydney with a hand problem. The visitors also left out Shoaib Malik, who made way for the batsman Fawad Alam to play his first game since the three-day warm-up match at the start of the tour.

Pakistan must win to keep the series alive with a double-header still to be played in Perth.

Australia will be without Peter Siddle, who reported back soreness following Sunday’s win at the SCG and has been rested. That has allowed Ryan Harris to come in for his second appearance in Australian colours.

Pakistan: Salman Butt, Kamran Akmal (wk), Younis Khan,  Mohammad Yousuf (capt), Umar Akmal, Fawad Alam, Shahid Afridi, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, Umar Gul, Mohammad Asif, Saeed Ajmal.

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Australia: Shane Watson, Shaun Marsh, Ricky Ponting (capt),  Michael Clarke, Cameron White, Michael Hussey, Brad Haddin (wk), Ryan Harris, Nathan Hauritz, Clint McKay, Doug Bollinger.

HOBART : Australia 3-302 on First day, Bloodied captain Ricky Ponting and classy deputy Michael Clarke combined for a record partnership for Australia to rub salt into Pakistan’s fresh wounds in the third Test on Thursday.

The home side went to stumps on the opening day in complete control at 3-302, with Ponting unbeaten on 137 and Clarke 111 not out.

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Following the misery of their SCG capitulation in the second Test, Pakistan dropped Ponting before he scored, letting the struggling Australian top-order off the hook.

After winning the toss and batting, they were in trouble at 3-71 in the morning session when Clarke joined his battling skipper at the crease.

Their unbeaten stand of 231 broke Australia’s fourth-wicket record against Pakistan, set by Greg Chappell and Graham Yallop in Faisalabad 30 years ago.

Spilt on the fine-leg boundary by Mohammad Aamer off his fourth ball, Ponting punished the tourists by producing his 39th Test century and second on his Hobart home ground.

The Tasmanian crowd of 7,216 were in raptures twice for their state hero as Ponting was incorrectly awarded a six when he hit Danish Kaneria down the ground when on 94.

Three balls after the mistake was corrected, a jubilant Ponting celebrated with a sweep for two.

In contrast, Clarke was the quiet achiever with his chanceless century of high quality almost creeping up on the Bellerive Oval fans.

He brought up his 13th hundred off 188 balls with 11 fours and also passed the 4,000 Test run milestone in his 58th Test.

Pakistan appeared clueless for the second half of the day as Ponting and Clarke dominated the dead rubber.

The pair batted almost 70 overs together as Mohammad Yousuf, criticised for his second Test leadership as Mike Hussey and Peter Siddle produced a match-turning 123-stand at the SCG, again failed to inspire his troops.

In the overcast morning conditions, Pakistan’s pace attack had carried on their fine form from the first-innings in Sydney by dismissing Simon Katich (11), Shane Watson (29) and Mike Hussey (6).

Katich was dismissed leg before by Asif after Pakistan correctly called for an umpiring referral after a long mid-pitch conference between Yousuf, bowler Mohammad Asif and debutant wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed.

The series leading run-scorer, Watson again looked a million dollars before he cut Gul to gully just after the drinks break.

Aamer went a little of the way in atoning for his missed catch by finding Hussey’s defensive edge and providing Sarfraz with his first catch in Test cricket in the 21st over.

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HOBART: Pakistan Vs Australia 3rd Test Live Stream, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the final eleven for Hobart test series against Australia.

Pakistan has dropped wicket-keeper and vice captain Kamran Akmal and made three other changes ahead of the third Test against Australia in Hobart.

Akmal has been replaced by rookie ‘keeper Safraz Ahmed after a bizarre standoff between the vice captain and selectors, with Akmal repeatedly insisting his place in the team was safe.

The gloveman – who dropped four catches as Australia pulled off a miraculous victory at the SCG last week – was forced to ‘drop himself’ as he is part of Paksitan’s four-man selection panel.

Pakistan manager Adbul Raquib said the panel unanimously decided to play Safraz ahead of Akmal.

In other changes, Shoaib Malik and Khurran Manzoor have come in for struggling batsmen Faisal Iqbal and Misbah-ul-Haq, while teenage paceman Mohammad Aamer returns in place of Mohammad Sami.

Meanwhile Australia has recalled opening batsman Simon Katich, who will replace Phillip Hughes at the top of the order.

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Pakistan: Mohammad Yousuf (captain), Imran Farhat, Salman Butt, Khurram Manzoor, Umar Akmal, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed, Mohammad Aamer, Umar Gul, Mohammed Asif, Danish Kaneria, Faisal Iqbal (12th man).

MELBOURNE: Pakistan made 44/1 in their second innings in third session of the fourth day in Melbourne Test, losing the wicket of Imran Farhat 12 at 18.

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Earlier, Shane Watson made his maiden Test century as Australia set Pakistan 422 to win the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.

Watson compiled an unbeaten 120 on day four as Ricky Ponting called his men in on 8 for 225 following the dismissal of Nathan Hauritz for 8, stumped by Kamran Akmal off the bowling of spinner Saeed Ajmal.

Mitchell Johnson was the other man out after lunch, caught short of his ground by Mohammad Asif for 22.

The immediate period after lunch was all about Watson’s quest for a maiden Test century, having gone to the break on 98.

And having scratched around in the 90s for what seemed an eternity, it was typical that the runs for the milestone should come in dramatic fashion.

Facing a fired-up Mohammad Aamer, who had already claimed his maiden five-wicket haul, Watson on 99 threw the bat at a fuller delivery which went straight to Abdur Rauf at backward point.

But Pakistan’s traditionally woeful fielding has been front and centre this match and it came as no surprise when Abdur grassed a sitter which allowed Watson to streak through for his single.

Watson faced 186 balls to reach triple figures, having occupied the crease for close to five hours.

He became the first Australian of the summer to reach triple figures, with 20 half-centuries having been recorded in the four Tests played including this one.

Batting partner Johnson had earlier achieved his own significant milestone, reaching 22 to become only the fifth man in Test history to record 50 wickets and 500 runs for the calendar year.

Ian Botham, Kapil Dev and Richard Hadley all did it twice, while New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori managed the feat last year.

Aamer, just 17, finished with a Test-best 5 for 79 from 24 overs.

MELBOURNE: Australian openers Simon Katich 98 and Shane Watson 93 provided 182 runs opening stand to the home side as Aussies gain upper hand on first day of the first Test against Pakistan with 305 runs for three wickets.

Australian captain Rickey Ponting won the toss and elected to bat first.

Openers Watson and Katich provided 182 runs start to Australia however they missed centuries when Watson 93 was run out by Salman Butt/Imran Farhat, while Katich caught by Butt off Mohammad Asif.

Skipper Rickey Ponting scored 57 and caught by Misbah off a delivey of Asif, who remained only successful Pakistani bowler with two wickets.

Mike Hussey 38, and Nathan Hauritz with five runs were at the crease on the first day stumps.

Earlier, Katich was almost run out on 3, but should definitely have been sent on his way on 8 when 19-year-old Umar Akmal put down a sitter at gully off Mohammad Aamer.

Watson dropped on 43, as Misbah-ul-Haq put down a regulation chance at first slip from the bowling of Saeed Ajmal.

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Pakistan: Salman Butt, Imran Farhat, Faisal Iqbal, Mohammad Yousuf (Capt), Misbah-ul-Haq, Umar Akmal, Kamran Akmal†, Mohammad Aamer, Abdur Rauf, Mohammad Asif, Saeed Ajmal

Australia: Shane Watson, Simon Katich, Ricky Ponting (Capt), MEK Hussey, MJ Clarke, MJ North, BJ Haddin†, MG Johnson, NM Hauritz, DE Bollinger, PM Siddle

KARACHI : Pakistan paceman Mohammad Sami was Tuesday recalled for the tour of Australia following team management’s request for an additional fast bowler, giving him a chance to revive a dwindling career.

“The selection committee has agreed to send Sami as reinforcement player to join the Pakistan team in Australia,” a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) statement said.

The addition of Sami was requested to help ease the burden on the team’s fast-bowlers in what is expected to be a demanding tour in Australia, the statement added.

He will supplement an attack featuring Umar Gul, Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Aamer and Abdur Rauf.

The 28-year-old right-arm fast bowler played the last of his 33 Tests against India at Bangalore in December 2007 before he was sidelined for poor form.

He then joined the unofficial Indian Cricket League (ICL) and was banned from international cricket in early 2008.

Earlier this year all 23 Pakistan players who joined the ICL suspended their contracts in India and were forgiven by the PCB.

Sami has so far taken 81 wickets in 33 Tests, and a further 118 in 83 one-day internationals.

He has shown recent good form in country’s domestic cricket with 30 wickets.

“I am very happy and am confident of making the most of this chance to resurrect my career,” said Sami, widely regarded as one of the most talented bowlers to not turn his potential into performances.

Pakistan plays the first of three Tests against Australia at Melbourne from December 26. They will also play five one-day internationals and a Twenty20 on the tour.

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Pakistan have taken charge of the second Test against New Zealand after establishing a 229-run lead at stumps on day two in Wellington.

The tourists resumed on 161-6 but managed to reach 264 all out, Kamran Akmal (70) and Umar Gul adding 64 runs for the eighth wicket.

They then dismissed New Zealand for 99, with paceman Mohammad Asif and spinner Danish Kaneria taking seven wickets. Pakistan lost Imran Farhat and Salman Butt as they reached 64-2.
It was a fine day for Pakistan, who had Akmal and Gul to thank for a respectable first-innings total after Mohammad Aamer had departed for 21.

Wicketkeeper Akmal, who claimed his 11th Test half-century, survived two umpire reviews before he was dismissed when New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori made a good catch running back from mid-off off the bowling of Daryl Tuffey.
It did not take long for the hosts to wrap up the innings, Asif (four) and Gul (31) falling 20 minutes before lunch.
New Zealand did not start their reply well, Mohammad Aamer taking the wicket of Martin Guptill for a first-ball duck while Asif dismissed Tim McIntosh for four to leave the home side on 5-2. Ross Taylor and Daniel Flynn combined for 43 before Taylor was bowled by Gul while the paceman struck against in the next over, Peter Fulton going for a two-ball duck.

Flynn and Grant Elliott added 33 runs either side of tea but the partnership ended with the score on 85 when Flynn became his team’s fifth victim – trapped leg before by Asif for 29. Flynn’s wicket sparked a collapse, with New Zealand losing their last five wickets for 14 runs.

Pakistan’s openers took their team’s second innings to 49 before O’Brien claimed the wickets of both. Salman Butt went for 18, caught by Taylor, then Farhat followed for 35 – which included four fours and a six – when Fulton caught him at second slip.

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Pakistan have New Zealand reeling at 147 for 8 at stumps on Day 4 in their second innings with Mohammad Asif picking up four wickets. New Zealand still have a slight edge over Pakistan in winning the Test match with a lead of 244 and two wickets in hand. Weather conditions will play a crucial role in deciding the result of the game, it had his toll even on the fourth day with rain and bad light eating off crucial time.

The visitors stretched their first innings total to 332 from an overnight score of 307 for 8 which cut the New Zealand lead to 97 runs. In their second innings, Mohammad Aamer came up with another first over dismissal, this time removing Martin Guptill in the fourth ball. In the 3rd over, Asif provided the double break with Flynn getting out lbw for a duck as well.

New Zealand recovered from 0 for 2 to 68 for 2 at lunch with Ross Taylor batting fluently on 48. Pakistan after lunch shot back with quick wickets to turn the match on its head. Five wickets went down in a hurry at the addition of just 36 runs. Khurram Manzoor initiated the downfall for the Kiwis with a direct throw to run out Ross Taylor (59 from 83 balls with 7 fours and a six). Peter Fulton and Brendon McCullum were out for 0 to make it four ducks in this Kiwi innings! First innings hero Daniel Vettori was dismissed by Asif cheaply.

The Kiwis still have Grant Elliott batting on 20 along with Iain O’Brien who is not a bad tailender at all. Pakistan have certainly got back into the match through their bowlers but now its all upto their top order to come good and seize the moment provided the weather holds good. Asif had a rich haul of 4 for 41 in 17.5 overs to follow up with his 4 for 108 in the first innings. Aamer complemented him with a couple of wickets.

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New Zealand finished Day 1 of the first Test at the University Oval in Dunedin at 276 for 6. The hosts were put under pressure at the start of play and again towards the end by some superb bowling from Aamer and Asif. The Kiwis are on the road to recovery yet again through an unbroken partnership of 65 between Brendon McCullum (25) and Skipper Daniel Vettori (40 from 44 balls).

Mohammad Yousuf had won the toss and put New Zealand to bat first on a pitch that was slow and low in nature. Left arm quick Mohammad Aamer gave a dream start by yorking Tim McIntosh in the very first ball of the match. Mohammad Asif caused damge from his end by forcing Daniel Flynn to get an inside edge to the keeper. New Zealand got off to a disastrous start at 27 for 2 in the 6th over.

Pakistan failed to make most of the inroads as opener Martin Guptill got a partnership going with Ross Taylor. The Kiwis went to lunch without any further damage at 78 for 2 in 28 overs. The partnership blossomed after lunch with both Guptill and Taylor knocking off their respective half centuries.

In the 41st over, Pakistan took a chance with the referral system asking for an lbw decision when Asif had hit the pad of Taylor but the TV Umpire had noticed tha the ball had struck outside the line of the off stump. Pakistan eventually could break the 3rd wicket stand when Martin Guptill (60 from 142 balls with 10 fours and a six) miscued a pull shot off Aamer. Guptill put on 117 runs for the 3rd wicket along with Taylor. The Kiwis went to Tea at 171 for 3 with Ross Taylor closing in to his 5th test hundred.

The final session seemed to go in Pakistan’s favour as off spinner Saeed Ajmal lured Taylor into an expansive drive to have him edge a straighter one in the 63rd over. Ross Taylor was unlucky to miss out on a hundred. He scored his 94 in 174 balls with the help of 13 fours and a six. Asif returned back to clean up Fulton (29) with an indipper and New Zealand lost their 5th wicket with that. The same bowler had Grant Elliott nicking behind to have the homeside wobbling at 211 for 6.

Pakistan in a bid to wrap up the NZ first innings took the second new ball in the 81st over. In the final over of the day’s play they came very close to getting their 7th wicket when Brendon McCullum got hit on the pad by Asif and Umpire Taufel gave that out lbw. But McCullum took advantage of the review system and got his lbw decision reversed as the ball had struck him outside the line of off stump while attempting a shot. The Kiwis were revived in the end through a nice fighting partnership between McCullum and Vettori.

As predicted, Aamer and Asif were the main bowling stars for Pakistan taking a combined five wickets while Umar Gul dissapointed. Saeed Ajmal did a good hold up job by conceding just 49 runs in his 26 overs.

Live Scores powered with Ball by Ball Simulation of this First Test Match between New Zealand and Pakistan at Dunedin can be followed at www.cricketmove.com.

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This could be the first time that young sensation Mohammad Aamer will have the wicket taking Mohammad Asif as his new ball partner when the Test Series against New Zealand kicks off tomorrow at Dunedin. Pakistan perhaps is going to have a winning combination with the new ball after quite sometime, may be this is potentially the best pair after Wasim-Waqar.

Pakistan most certainly will be going in with a combination of three pacers and a spinner in Saeed Ajmal. The third pacer to give back up to Aamer and Asif has got to be Umar Gul who is right now the fastest bowler in the Pakistani camp. Abdur Rauf has taken four wickets in the tour match against New Zealand Invitation XI but I suspect his chances of making it to the Dunedin Test are very low. Rauf is a predictable bowler as he has this funny way of showing the seam of the ball clearly to the batsman.

The Kiwis will have the real threat coming from the two As – Aamer and Asif. Both these bowlers are pretty good at bowling accuratley and do get a considerable amout of movement in and out off the seam. Asif is certainly a bowler close to Glen McGrath when it comes to the skills. The thing that flashes my mind when I think of Asif is the way he had gone through VVS Laxman’s gate in one of the Test matches with a magic off cutter.

It’s a pity that Asif had been out of international cricket due to all the wrong (non-cricketing) reasons. Hope he does justice to the wonderful talent that he has got in making the cricket ball talk the way he wants to! Guess what Mohammad Asif’s last Test was way back in October 2007. Fortunately enough he is just 26 years and will still get plenty of opportunities to make a name of himself in being one of the best bowlers in Test Cricket.

Mohammad Aamer has no doubt been the most consistent performer for Pakistan in any format of the game. He is just 17 years of age and has already won the hearts of many fans. I particularly remember a placard in UAE which was asking for Mohammad Aamer to be the Captain of the Pakistani team. The lad seems to be playing each and every game and may be he needs to be rested whenever there is an insignificant match around. Pakistan would do good if they can preserve this youngster and make sure that he lasts more than 10 years at the international level.

The third pacer for me is Umar Gul and he has to improve upon the consistency levels. At times, Umar Gul has this tendency of bugging his captain with plenty of no-balls. It’s a good challenge ahead of Umar Gul to prove that he is a better bowler than Asif and Aamer. Looks like there will be some kind of a healthy competition between the trio.

 I would like to see Saeed Ajmal play ahead of Danish Kaneria in the Test Series. Ajmal has plenty of variations up his sleeve and the confidence levels are high because of his recent successes against various teams. Bowling seems to be the strength of Pakistan like always. The batting department and fielding is what needs to be improved by a long way for Pakistan if they have to win Test Series abroad.

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