Kasprowicz skittles Pakistan

Michael Kasprowicz continued to justify his place in the Australian bowling lineup with a five-wicket haul to give the home side a decisive advantage at the end of day 2 of the first Test in Perth. Along with Shane Warne, Kasprowicz skittled Pakistan for just 179 in the wake of Australia's first-innings total of 381.

Beginning the day with two wickets needed to end Australia's innings, Shoaib Akhtar wasted no time trapping Kasprowicz LBW without a run being added, in doing so bringing up a five-wicket haul of his own. Shoaib and Sami put Glenn McGrath's newfound allrounder status to the test with a number of sharp bouncers, but McGrath proved a worthy ally in a 19-run last-wicket stand. Langer fell within reach of a double century, top-edging Sami to be well caught by Younis Khan for a superb 191, Australia's innings thus ending on 381.

Pakistan's new-look opening of Salman Butt and Imran Farhat capitalised on loose early bowling by McGrath and Gillespie, with a 32-run opening stand. Gillespie struck in his fourth over, however, enticing an edge from Farhat on 18. The promising Salman Butt fell soon after, unable to control Kasprowicz's steepling bounce, edging to Gilchrist as well.

The early promise of Kasprowicz's spell hinted at greater things, and he was rewarded again with the prize wicket of Pakistan skipper Inzamam ul Haq, bowled through the gate for just 1. Pakistan were soon in desperate trouble as Kasprowicz removed their other star, Yousuf Youhana, caught behind on the same score, to leave Pakistan reeling at 4/60.

Younis Khan and Abdul Razzaq attempted to stabilise the innings with a 48-run stand, but Australia kept the pressure on and eventually were rewarded again. Younis uncharacteristically attempted to slog Warne only to sky it to Gillespie, thus denying the batsman the chance to build on a solid platform of 42. Razzaq's aggressive instincts eventually got the better of him, too, attempting to pounce on a flighted delivery from Warne which dipped and turned to bowl him on 21.

With Pakistan out of their depth at 6/110, Kasprowicz returned to the attack with immediate effect, adding wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal to his wicket tally, edging onto his stumps. Warne reciprocated at the other end by removing debutant Khalil for a duck, Pakistan now 8/111. Ponting decided against reintroducing his quicks to blast out the tail, instead bowling himself and Darren Lehmann to rest his senior pacemen. Shoaib and Sami took advantage, however, with occasionally adventurous but often sensible strokeplay to save Pakistan's total somewhat. The pair added 60, aided by an uncharacteristic dropped catch from Ponting, before McGrath finally got his reward, enticing an edge from Shoaib on 27. Kasprowicz returned to the attack to snare Sami and secure his five-wicket haul, ending Pakistan's innings on 179, 202 shy of Australia's total.

Australia opted against enforcing the follow-on, with Langer and Hayden surviving a tricky three-over spell late in the day to take Australia to 0/15, an overall lead of 217.

Score Summary:

AUSTRALIA 381 all out (90.5 overs)
JL Langer 191, AC Gilchrist 69; Shoaib Akhtar 5/99

PAKISTAN 179 all out (77.3 overs)
Younis Khan 42; MS Kasprowicz 5/30, SK Warne 3/38

AUSTRALIA 0 for 15 (3 overs)
JL Langer 3*, ML Hayden 7*


Australia lead by 217 runs

Posted by Adam