A boundary drought, and Kevin Rudd's desperate plea
Plays of the day for the second day of the second Test between Australia and Pakistan at the MCG
Osman Samiuddin and Brydon Coverdale
27-Dec-2009
If Kevin Rudd can't convince him, who else can? • Getty Images
Umpires receive mixed reviews
The umpire decision review system contributed to Australia's continued failure to find a Test centurion this summer. Michael Hussey was given lbw for 82 when he tried to sweep Saeed Ajmal and although it was a close call, Billy Doctrove's decision was upheld when Hussey asked for a review. The ball struck him marginally in line with off stump and Hawkeye suggested it was just clipping the stump, so the out verdict stood. Later, a less-than-enthusiastic Mohammad Yousuf requested a review of a not-out lbw decision against Nathan Hauritz, who was on 75. Abdur Rauf picked up his first wicket of the innings when Asoka de Silva viewed the footage and saw an appeal that couldn't have been much more plumb, and duly overturned Rudi Koertzen's call.
The umpire decision review system contributed to Australia's continued failure to find a Test centurion this summer. Michael Hussey was given lbw for 82 when he tried to sweep Saeed Ajmal and although it was a close call, Billy Doctrove's decision was upheld when Hussey asked for a review. The ball struck him marginally in line with off stump and Hawkeye suggested it was just clipping the stump, so the out verdict stood. Later, a less-than-enthusiastic Mohammad Yousuf requested a review of a not-out lbw decision against Nathan Hauritz, who was on 75. Abdur Rauf picked up his first wicket of the innings when Asoka de Silva viewed the footage and saw an appeal that couldn't have been much more plumb, and duly overturned Rudi Koertzen's call.
Fail of the century continues
Australia remain the carry-over champions in this show and the million-dollar question is how many half-centuries they will post before someone finally registers a hundred. The efforts of Hussey and Hauritz took Australia's remarkable record to 20 half-centuries this home summer without a single person reaching triple-figures. The last time an Australian made a Test hundred was when Hussey struck a career-saving 121 in the final Ashes Test at The Oval.
Australia remain the carry-over champions in this show and the million-dollar question is how many half-centuries they will post before someone finally registers a hundred. The efforts of Hussey and Hauritz took Australia's remarkable record to 20 half-centuries this home summer without a single person reaching triple-figures. The last time an Australian made a Test hundred was when Hussey struck a career-saving 121 in the final Ashes Test at The Oval.
Six and out…or not
Pakistan's catching has been as poor as their luck so far at the MCG and thus it was entirely appropriate that the best catch they took wouldn't actually get them a wicket. Hauritz was just beginning to cut loose after lunch when he smacked Saeed Ajmal high back over his head towards the sightscreen. Mohammad Aamer came running round from long-on and took an extremely well-judged catch, only for the momentum to carry him comfortably across the boundary.
Pakistan's catching has been as poor as their luck so far at the MCG and thus it was entirely appropriate that the best catch they took wouldn't actually get them a wicket. Hauritz was just beginning to cut loose after lunch when he smacked Saeed Ajmal high back over his head towards the sightscreen. Mohammad Aamer came running round from long-on and took an extremely well-judged catch, only for the momentum to carry him comfortably across the boundary.
PM puts the heat on Warne
Australia's prime minister Kevin Rudd enjoyed a stint in the Channel Nine commentary box and told Shane Warne it was his national responsibility to make a comeback. The prime minister cited the example of Colin Cowdrey, inflating his yarn a little by having Cowdrey make his comeback at 43 rather than 41. That gave Warne his out clause: I've got three years to think about it then?
Australia's prime minister Kevin Rudd enjoyed a stint in the Channel Nine commentary box and told Shane Warne it was his national responsibility to make a comeback. The prime minister cited the example of Colin Cowdrey, inflating his yarn a little by having Cowdrey make his comeback at 43 rather than 41. That gave Warne his out clause: I've got three years to think about it then?
Dry spell
The MCG is a big ground and boundaries aren't always easily to come by, but 36.2 overs without one was stretching it. Pakistan's batsmen were solid after Australia's early declaration, but never spectacular. There were three threes and 12 doubles in their 50 - brought up in the 28th over - but no boundaries, though there was a rare all-run four. Finally, in the innings' 32nd over, it took a typically elegant dance down the pitch from Mohammad Yousuf to break the rot with a maximum. And to think we live in the age of Twenty20.
The MCG is a big ground and boundaries aren't always easily to come by, but 36.2 overs without one was stretching it. Pakistan's batsmen were solid after Australia's early declaration, but never spectacular. There were three threes and 12 doubles in their 50 - brought up in the 28th over - but no boundaries, though there was a rare all-run four. Finally, in the innings' 32nd over, it took a typically elegant dance down the pitch from Mohammad Yousuf to break the rot with a maximum. And to think we live in the age of Twenty20.
Osman Samiuddin is Pakistan editor of Cricinfo, Brydon Coverdale is a staff writer of Cricinfo