Please, WACA, gimme some shade
A sun-stroked Perth resident enjoys Nathan Hauritz's all-round display and admires the beach-ball hitting skills of another spectator
Luke Juniper
30-Jan-2010
Nathan Hauritz: cheeky as they come • Getty Images
Choice of game
Being the only game that was on during my summer holidays, I had no choice in the matter. Despite being a dead rubber and a scorching 39 degrees in the sun, there was no way I would be missing it.
Being the only game that was on during my summer holidays, I had no choice in the matter. Despite being a dead rubber and a scorching 39 degrees in the sun, there was no way I would be missing it.
Team supported
Australia. I'd be lying if I said I didn't want Pakistan to put up a good fight, but the pain from our Ashes loss still burns. Every single victory is cherished and required to extinguish that flame.
Australia. I'd be lying if I said I didn't want Pakistan to put up a good fight, but the pain from our Ashes loss still burns. Every single victory is cherished and required to extinguish that flame.
Key performer
Say what you want about him but Nathan Hauritz cannot avoid the action or the scrutiny as he may like. A rip-snorting 53, a run-out, and the wicket of Saeed Ajmal (though he went for six an over) justified the selectors' and Ricky Ponting's support for him.
Say what you want about him but Nathan Hauritz cannot avoid the action or the scrutiny as he may like. A rip-snorting 53, a run-out, and the wicket of Saeed Ajmal (though he went for six an over) justified the selectors' and Ricky Ponting's support for him.
One thing you'd have changed
Please, WACA, give me some shade. Granted, I purchased tickets for the East Grass Bank which resulted in approximately seven hours under an intense sun. Live and learn, as they say.
Please, WACA, give me some shade. Granted, I purchased tickets for the East Grass Bank which resulted in approximately seven hours under an intense sun. Live and learn, as they say.
Wow moment
Security officials at the WACA displayed a total and utter disrespect for the crowd's beach-ball-hitting rights. After they snagged and popped approximately 11 of said balls by the middle of the first innings, a young Australian fan won the admiration of the Prindiville Stand crowd by dispatching a beach ball from a security guard's hands into the rabid mob below. Pity it only lasted another minute.
Security officials at the WACA displayed a total and utter disrespect for the crowd's beach-ball-hitting rights. After they snagged and popped approximately 11 of said balls by the middle of the first innings, a young Australian fan won the admiration of the Prindiville Stand crowd by dispatching a beach ball from a security guard's hands into the rabid mob below. Pity it only lasted another minute.
Player watch
Mohammad Asif saw the most action for the day at fine leg. Any time the ball came his way, the ultra-witty Perth crowd would bellow "AsIf you just fielded that!"
Mohammad Asif saw the most action for the day at fine leg. Any time the ball came his way, the ultra-witty Perth crowd would bellow "AsIf you just fielded that!"
Shot of the day
Hauritz's baby face just screams cheeky ninth grader. The third of his four sixes - off Naved-ul-Hasan - was pure contempt.
Hauritz's baby face just screams cheeky ninth grader. The third of his four sixes - off Naved-ul-Hasan - was pure contempt.
Crowd meter
It was an absolutely scorching day, and being a dead rubber, I did not predict a crowd of such size and enthusiasm. Mexican waves continued all day and there was a steady stream of ejections by the local security. Heat, alcohol and a more or less gutless performance from Pakistan are never a good mix. Following his Man-of-the-Match performance in Adelaide, Ryan Harris was a popular man. He did not disappoint in the slightest with another top-shelf performance.
It was an absolutely scorching day, and being a dead rubber, I did not predict a crowd of such size and enthusiasm. Mexican waves continued all day and there was a steady stream of ejections by the local security. Heat, alcohol and a more or less gutless performance from Pakistan are never a good mix. Following his Man-of-the-Match performance in Adelaide, Ryan Harris was a popular man. He did not disappoint in the slightest with another top-shelf performance.
Accessories
Shirt, sunscreen, sunglasses and wide brim hat.
Shirt, sunscreen, sunglasses and wide brim hat.
Overall
Australia displayed plenty of composure and flair to post a strong 277. Pakistan bowled reasonably well and fielded far better than they have all summer. Unfortunately their bowling in the last 10 overs and their batting overall were extremely disappointing. Boom Boom Afridi provided some fireworks, but by then it was far too late.
Australia displayed plenty of composure and flair to post a strong 277. Pakistan bowled reasonably well and fielded far better than they have all summer. Unfortunately their bowling in the last 10 overs and their batting overall were extremely disappointing. Boom Boom Afridi provided some fireworks, but by then it was far too late.
Marks out of 10
6/10. It is near impossible to get overly excited about a match of this nature and I feel Pakistan have so much more to offer than what they showed in this game. Some big-hitting late in the innings, and some great bowling by Australia maintained interest long enough to avoid early departures from the spectators.
6/10. It is near impossible to get overly excited about a match of this nature and I feel Pakistan have so much more to offer than what they showed in this game. Some big-hitting late in the innings, and some great bowling by Australia maintained interest long enough to avoid early departures from the spectators.
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