Pakistan v Australia (Pak v Aus) 2nd Test at Leeds, Preview, Score, Streaming, Videos, Highlights
The second Test match between Australia and Pakistan will be played in Leeds, Headingley and will see the Aussies wanting to pack off the opposition to a 0-2 scoreline. Australia has already won four successive Tests against Pakistan and eight out of the nine that they have played in this summer. A win here will ensure that whitewash.
Live Scorecard of Australia v Pakistan, 2nd Test at Leeds
The change of the format had also brought a change in the fortunes of the Australia side as they overcame Pakistan in the first Test match at Lord’s. The result was a convincing one after the Aussies had slumped to 229/9 on the first day and now, the Pakistani side finds themselves in much trouble after shenanigans associated with the retirement of Shahid Afridi in the middle of the tour.
It is the retirement of Afridi that could come back to haunt the Pakistani side much more than anything else. Not only will the Pakistanis miss his leadership skills but it will also mean that the new captain, Salman Butt has barely any time to acquaint himself with the role. That is advantage Australia all the way!
Live Scorecard and Commentary of the second Test match between Australia v Pakistan at Leeds
Track Tale:
The last game that was played here saw the Aussies wrap up the game in a matter of two days and a quarter, and level the series against England. Even before that, the victory margins have been so hopelessly skewed in favour of the winning side, that one gets the sense that this is a kind of pitch on which one needs to bat carefully against the new ball. The new ball swings around enough in the first couple of sessions to peg the batting back, and make it as difficult for that team as it is easy for the other side!
Team News:
Many changes can be expected from both the sides, and almost none of them would be to do with lack of form!
For Pakistan, Afridi’s retirement from Test match cricket means that he will have to be replaced. Out of the players that Pakistan has to its disposal, the best option for the Pakistani side will be Shoaib Malik, who can also roll his arm over from some ball. However, what it will also do is to get Malik bat at the number of four position in place of Umar Amin, who can be shifted down – given his lack of experience.
The Pakistani side is also toying with the idea of getting in Saeed Ajmal in place of Danish Kaneria, who had looked a tad listless. Besides, Ajmal has had a good record against Australia in the shorter format of the game, and that psychological ploy may work in favour of the ‘hosts’
Australia may not have such captaincy issues, but the fitness woes continue for them. Ben Hilfenhaus had injured his shoulder during the game at Lord’s and is still a suspect for the game. Andy McKay has been called up to cover for Hilfenhaus, but the man who will make his Test debut will be the rather tall, Peter George.
The other player who could miss out is Marcus North. He hardly contributed with the bat in the previous game but had a six-wicket haul that oversaw the Pakistani collapse in the second innings at Lord’s. He is down with an upset stomach, and if found unfit, would be replaced by Usman Khwaja. Khawaja is a Pakistani-born, Australian citizen and it would be interesting to watch him play against his former countrymen in a Test match!
On the other hand, Simon Katich, who won the man of the match award for his couple of 80s, would wonder what is it with him and the 80s and the 90s. A century beckons for Katich.
Probable XI
Australia:
Watson, Katich, Ponting, Clarke, Hussey, North/Khwaja, Paine, Smith, Johnson, Bollinger, George
Pakistan:
Butt, Farhat, Azhar Ali, Malik, Umar Akmal, Amin, Kamran Akmal, Gul, Asif, Aamer, Ajmal
You can also watch the live streaming of the 2nd Test match between Australia and Pakistan at Leeds on the official Ten Sports website.
You can also watch the 2nd Test match between Australia and Pakistan at Leeds on Ten Sports.
You can follow the live commentary and live score of 2nd Test match between Australia and Pakistan at Leeds here.
You can also buy the tickets for the Ashes, 2010 between Australia and England here.
Related posts:
- Pakistan v Australia (Pak v Aus) 1st Test at Lord’s, Preview, Score, Streaming, Videos, Highlights
- Pakistan v Australia (Pak v Aus) T20Is, Birmingham, Preview, Score, Streaming, Videos, Highlights
- Pakistan v Australia (Pak v Aus): Semi-finals, Preview, Live Streaming, Videos, Highlights of ICC World T20 2010
- England v Australia (Eng v Aus) 2nd ODI, Cardiff, Preview, Score, Streaming, Videos, Highlights
- Australia v England (Eng v Aus) 4th ODI, The Oval, Preview, Score, Streaming, Videos, Highlights
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Posted by Sam
on Jul 20 2010. Filed under Match Highlights.
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