Magnificent fight back wrests victory
Hobart, Nov 22: Cricket is the most perverse of games predicted at peril
A. Jalil
23-Nov-1999
Hobart, Nov 22: Cricket is the most perverse of games predicted at
peril. Australia's triumph in the second Test was as preposterous as
it was unlikely. Pakistan somehow contrived to defy the odds that were
stacked in their favour and let a match slip away that should have
been sewnup hours before their humiliating defeat had been inflicted.
It was utterly inexplicable that a side regarded to possess the most
potent bowling attack should emerge from nearly three and a half
hour's work without having made a strong enough impression on the
opposition. It was a tense and demanding day and Pakistan found
themselves so close and yet so far away from taking the spoils.
All they required was one wicket that stood between them and the clear
opportunity of knocking over the tailenders. In fairness it has to be
said, however, that the two men who denied Pakistan the chance of
forcing a victory, had put up a batting display as meritorious as one
is likely to encounter anywhere.
Pakistan's captain, Wasim Akram kept bringing the changes, switching
ends for his bowlers and using all the usual options available. The
bowling had not at any stage become as wayward as on the second day of
this Test when Australia were comfortably cruising along to 191 for 1
with Michael Slater and Justin Langer in a fine partnership.
Today it was nonetheless, unfortunate that when Pakistan did on the
rare occasion get through the defences of Adam Gilchrist and Justin
Langer, they were denied the wickets. Shortly after Pakistan had
taken the new ball, Justin Langer, on 76, appeared clearly to have
snicked one to wicket-keeper Moin Khan off Wasim Akram but 'home'
umpire Parker ruled that not out. Australia's total then was 5 for
237, chasing 369. A decision such as that and in such circumstances of
a vitally important. Test match can break the spirit of a team.
Pakistan battled on and the two batsmen kept showing their equality to
whatever the bowlers could put their way. They were also quick to
pounce on anything loose in the slightest. While Langer picked up runs
more steadily during his 127 which spanned over seven hours, half of
which he spent at the crease today, Gilchrist was more adventurous in
his choice of shots. That is not to say he took risks, he was no less
focused to Australia's cause than his more experienced partner.
It took him only 110 balls to reach his maiden Test century, the
second fifty of which came rapidly from only 38 balls. It was
interesting to note that it was the second fastest maiden Test century
by an Australian, behind Ray Lindwall's, from 88 balls, in 1947 in
Melbourne.
However, he too survived when it looked he should have been making his
way to the pavilion. That was another blow that Pakistan had to
endure. On his score of 107 and the total 290 for 5, an appeal for leg
before wicket from a ball from Saqlain Mushtaq was turned down by
umpire Parker. The ball had hit Gilchrist on the front foot, under the
roll of the pad and he was covering middle and leg stump. Australia at
this point were 79 behind and at the time of the earlier incident with
Langer they were as many as 132 behind.
It has to be noted that in the first innings. Langer was given out for
a catch at silly point, off Saqlain, by umpire Parker, a decision that
appeared to be doubtful at the time. The next day umpire Parker took
the unusual step of apologising to Langer for giving him out. He
approached Langer and admitted that he had made an error. Yesterday by
his vital decision of ruling Langer 'not out' he had made amends in no
uncertain terms. This is the same umpire who is remembered for once
allowing an eleven-ball over to be bowled in a one-day match in
Australia.
Credit, however, must be given to Australia's two heroes, Langer and
Gilchrist, for their magnificent fight back and showing once again
Australia's never-say-die attitude. They put great pressure on
Pakistan's bowlers as the scoreboard kept ticking over.
The bowling and fielding got ragged at times and the concentration was
wavering. With each run Pakistan's chances of victory in the Test and
of at least, saving the series kept fading. While the tension was
rising among the Pakistan players, the two batsmen were getting more
relaxed as they approached their target.
Pakistan team manager Yawar Saeed was, however, magnanimous in defeat
and made no excuses. Although obviously disappointed, he did not harp
on the vital umpiring errors. Speaking to Dawn exclusively, he
praised the Australian batting: "That was a great partnership. They
put up the third highest total in the world to reach a winning target
and the highest within Australia". He has kept the morale and spirit
of the Pakistan team high as they re-group for the third Test in Perth
on Friday