Katich stands firm after Day One
London, July 13: Simon Katich’s patient fifty helped Australia recover from the loss of captain and star batsman Ricky Ponting on the first day of the first Test against Pakistan at Lord’s on Tuesday.
At tea, Australia — after losing the toss — were 171/3, with left-handed opener Katich, who might have been out for two, unbeaten on 77. But a third-wicket stand worth 120 ended with the last ball before the interval when Australia vice-captain Michael Clarke was leg-before for 47 to seamer Mohammad Asif.
Katich and Clarke came together at 51/2 after Ponting was still left searching for his first Test century at Lord’s, having been dismissed for 26.
Ponting, in what could be the 35-year-old’s final Test appearance at the Lord’s, was out when well caught by debutant Umar Amin at short leg after clipping firmly a ball from left-arm quick Mohammad Aamer, who appeared to collide with the Australia captain as he celebrated in his follow-through.
It meant Ponting, India’s Sachin Tendulkar and the now retired West Indies great Brian Lara — the three best batsmen of the last decade — had all so far failed to score a Test century at Lord’s.
Clarke demonstrated excellent footwork to go down the pitch and drive leg-spinner Danish Kaneria for two fours in as many balls while Katich later struck two fours in as many Aamer deliveries. Katich, who struggled against the swinging ball early on, went to fifty off 117 balls with five boundaries. Before lunch Aamer bowled Shane Watson for four in a rain shortened first session.
Brief scores (at tea): Australia 171/3 in 43 overs (Katich batting 77, Clarke 47; Aamer 2/40, Asif 1/39) vs Pakistan.
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