In the scorching heat of Perth, Australia’s star spinner, Nathan Lyon, edged closer to the elusive 500-wicket club, further solidifying his team’s dominance in the first Test against Pakistan on day three.
Lyon, known for his crafty spin and wily deliveries, displayed his prowess once again by claiming 3 crucial wickets for just 66 runs. Pakistan, who began the day at 132-2, were eventually bowled out for 271, unable to counter the relentless Australian attack.
The tourists’ innings was anchored by opener Imam ul-Haq, who valiantly scored 62 runs off 199 balls. Imam’s resilience was on full display, especially after nightwatchman Khurram Shahzad fell victim to Australia’s captain, Pat Cummins, with just the day’s third ball.
Imam found a temporary partner in Babar Azam, making his comeback to Test cricket after relinquishing the captaincy to Shan Masood. The duo stitched together a 49-run partnership, Pakistan’s most substantial stand of the day.
However, as the day progressed, Pakistan’s quest to approach Australia’s imposing first-innings total of 487 started crumbling rapidly. From 181-3, they stumbled to 271 all out, a substantial 216 runs behind the hosts.
The turning point came when Mitchell Marsh dismissed Babar Azam for 21, and shortly thereafter, Imam ul-Haq (62) also succumbed to Nathan Lyon’s crafty spin. This marked the beginning of a batting collapse for the visitors. Saud Shakeel and Agha Salman managed to offer some resistance, each contributing 28 runs.
Nathan Lyon’s mastery wasn’t limited to the demise of Imam and Babar. He continued to torment Pakistan by claiming the wicket of debutant Aamer Jamal, while Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc also chipped in with two wickets each.
In response, Australia’s batting innings got off to a shaky start, losing both David Warner (0) and Marnus Labuschagne (2) early, leaving them at a precarious 5-2. This marked their lowest score after the first 10 overs of a Test innings in three decades.
Adding to the drama, Labuschagne suffered an injury to his hand after being struck by the ball, and Steve Smith also endured a blow to his arm. It became evident that the pitch was showing signs of wear and tear.
However, a resilient 79-run partnership between Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith helped Australia regain their footing. By the end of the day, they had established a commanding position, with a lead of 300 runs over Pakistan.
Speaking about the day’s play, Australian bowler Josh Hazlewood said, “A pretty good day – we bowled a little bit better today. We got the ball a bit fuller, adapting from white ball to red ball cricket. I was told to warm up so I was desperately cheering Gaz [Nathan Lyon] to get his 500th wicket. It’s such a special achievement. Not many Australians or players around the world have got there. We lead by 300 already, if we bat half a day and have Travis Head coming out, we are hoping to set Pakistan a score starting with a four.”
As Nathan Lyon inches closer to the remarkable milestone of 500 Test wickets, the stage is set for a thrilling continuation of this gripping Test match in Perth.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Cricket
Q: How many wickets did Nathan Lyon take in the match?
A: Nathan Lyon took 3 wickets in this match, bringing him closer to his milestone of 500 career Test wickets.
Q: What was Pakistan’s first-innings score?
A: Pakistan managed to score 271 runs in their first innings.
Q: How much did Australia lead by at the end of day three?
A: At the end of day three, Australia had a lead of 300 runs over Pakistan.
Q: Were there any notable partnerships in Pakistan’s innings?
A: Yes, the partnership between Imam ul-Haq and Babar Azam, which added 49 runs, was Pakistan’s best stand of the day.
Q: How did Australia recover after losing early wickets in their second innings?
A: Australia recovered with a 79-run partnership between Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith in their second innings.
More about Cricket
- Nathan Lyon’s Player Profile
- Australia vs. Pakistan First Test Scorecard
- Perth Stadium
- Cricket News and Updates
