Cricket: Sticks For The Quicks

GALLE, SRI LANKA (GaeaTimes.com)- Fast bowlers seem to have made a much awaited comeback into test cricket as Lasith Malinga ripped through the Indian batting order. Dismissing Gautam Gambhir for a duck in both the innings and showing a variety of swing and movement of the pitch, Lasith Malinga gave the Indian batsmen little chance to settle down. In another continent it was another set of fast bowlers that looked ready to end Australia Test match winning spree. Umar Gul, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer bundled out the Australians for a paltry 88 at Headingley.

In the first innings India struggled to cope with the spin and pace duo of Muttiah Muralitharan and Lasith Malinga. As Muttiah Muralitharan looked in a hurry to reach his 800th test stick, the Indian batsmen seemed hapless in grasping his turn and deceiving flight. Indian captain MS Dhoni looked completely bewildered by the turn as the ball went through the bat and pad and rattled his stumps. Yuvraj Singh, who looked somewhat ready to take charge after his fifty in the first innings fell victim to the spinning maestro in the exact same fashion in the second innings for 5. On the final day India is staring at a defeat unless VVS Laxman plays an innings of his lifetime to save the game.

In Headingly, Pakistan look comfortable after they settled to a comfortable lead in the first day itself and are looking steady on the 2nd day as well. After the first day’s game of cricket, the Australian coach appreciated the Pakistani bowling and said that it was a good contest. It was the terrific control showed by comeback star Mohammad Asif that broke the back of the Australian batting from the very first hour of the test. Pakistan maybe looking at their first win in 15 years against Australia in test cricket if they stick to their advantageous position in the game.