Australia v. Pakistan. Tests.
It is true that Pakistan don't have any batsman of the quality of Very Very Special Laxman in the team - but this is what's informing Australia's strategy in the present game: https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/aus ... -scorecardpiedys wrote:We barely bowled 50 overs - WHY TF are we batting again?!
Surely the wicket won't deteriorate by day 5?
Australia bowled India out in 58 overs in that game, too. Admittedly, the first innings lead was only 270-odd rather than last night's 408 - but the experience of knocking a team off for a trivial total and putting them back in, only to see them knock up a second innings total getting on for 700 in the second dig is obviously one that preys on Australian minds.
They are intent on denying Pakistan the opportunity to have another go while the wicket is in reasonable condition and to make sure that Australia isn't chasing a tricky total in the worst pitch conditions at the end of the game. Australia only took 8 wickets with the ball, a couple of the Pakistan batsman gave themselves up (Lyon's and Swepson's 1st wickets) and the pitch isn't really helping the bowlers much - you wouldn't want to be bowling on this pitch a second time on Day 3 and find that reverse swing wasn't working. Plainly, it is still easy enough to make runs, once you are settled in - Australia was able to score at nearly 4.8 per over.
Doing the arithmetic, if that were Pakistan, they would only trail now by under 330, could bat 90 overs on Day 4 to be in front at the end of the day and then reach a lead of about 150 by Lunch on Day 5. That would have been a recipe (probably the only one available) for a potential Australian loss.
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Geez, they'd have a lead of over 600 by then. I reckon 550 in front they'll declare, either way, there's plenty of time to bowl them out, especially if they bat like they did in the first innings.... 2 run outs, have they put money on the Aussies? Pre game, the home team were clear favourites.
Geez, they'd have a lead of over 600 by then. I reckon 550 in front they'll declare, either way, there's plenty of time to bowl them out, especially if they bat like they did in the first innings.... 2 run outs, have they put money on the Aussies? Pre game, the home team were clear favourites.
Don't count the days, make the days count.
I think it probably depends on how they think the wicket is behaving. They should be around 600 in front by Lunch, unless there is a sudden collapse (which doesnt really seem likely) - 30 overs at 3 or 4 an over (bear in mind the current run rate for the second innings is nearly 4. puts them between 570 and 600 in front. They don't need more runs - they just need to make sure there isn't enough time for Pakistan to win, if the pitch remains very docile.