Australian top order blown away

Mohammad Asif (left)
12 April 2012

Australia were in danger of failing to reach three figures in a Test innings for just the second time in 25 years after their top order folded on the opening morning of the second Test against Pakistan at Headingley.

Pakistan's seamers revelled in the overcast conditions as they swung out six Australians - four of them leg before wicket - for the cost of 73 runs.

The only time Australia have failed to reach 100 during the past quarter-century was when they were bowled out for 93 by India in Mumbai in 2004, and they were struggling to surpass that mark after Mohammad Asif and Umar Gul claimed two wickets apiece.

Of the dismissed batsmen only Simon Katich and Marcus North managed to reach double figures after Australia captain Ricky Ponting had decided to bat upon winning the toss.

Katich and his opening partner Shane Watson had watchfully progressed the score to 20 before they were both undone by swinging deliveries, prompting a stunning collapse of six wickets for 40 runs.

Katich, who had passed 50 in his past six completed innings, could only manage 13 before Mohammad Aamer nipped a delivery back to trap him in front before Watson (five) fell in similar fashion in Asif's next over.

Michael Clarke managed just three during his uncomfortable stay at the crease, as he repeatedly played down the wrong line before Gul swung one between bat and pad and into his middle stump. Asif claimed the key wicket of Ponting (six) with a vicious inswinger that had the Australia skipper overbalancing on the front foot and plumb in front.

Gul was then lucky to get the fourth lbw decision of the morning against Mike Hussey (five) with Rudi Koertzen, in his last Test match, raising the finger for a delivery that looked to be missing leg. At that stage Australia were 41 for five and in danger of failing to reach their lowest Test score against Pakistan, when they managed 80 in Karachi in 1956.

North allayed those fears, however, as he looked the most assured of the Australian batsman, driving Asif for four with authority. But the Western Australian fell just for 16 just before lunch, when he edged the medium pace of Umar Amin through to wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal.

That left Tim Paine (eight not out) and Steven Smith (10 not out), both of whom only made their debuts in last week's opening Test at Lord's, to scramble their side towards three figures at the least.

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