'I'm astounded': Cricket world erupts over 'baffling' Test drama
Australia captain Pat Cummins has come under scrutiny after a controversial decision not to enforce the follow-on after a day of dominance against Pakistan in the second Test.
Mitchell Starc's masterly spell of reverse swing bowling saw the Aussies clean up the home side for just 148 in their first innings.
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The brutal spell helped the Aussies to a whopping 408-run lead after the first innings, having declared at 9(dec)-556 earlier on day three.
However, in a decision that proved very polarising for cricket fans, Australia captain Pat Cummins opted not to enforce the follow-on.
Instead, the Aussies went in to bat again looking for quick runs, with David Warner (7 runs) falling cheaply before Usman Khawaja (35 not out) and Marnus Labuschagne (37 not out) accelerated the run rate before stumps.
The Aussies reached 1-81 at the end of the third day's play, with a whopping lead of 489 runs.
However, it was the decision by the visitors not to send Pakistan back in to bat that left many fans scratching their heads.
Since famously losing to India in Kolkata in 2001 when enforcing the follow-on, Australia have only ordered their opposition to follow-on 14 times from 39 opportunities.
Since that Kolkata Test, Australia have 24 wins from 24 Tests when not enforcing the follow-on and batting again.
However, with the first Test against Pakistan petering out to an underwhelming draw, many viewers expected Australia to keep the pressure firmly on the hosts.
Commentator Mike Haysman was particularly baffled by the call from the Aussies after watching Starc and co. rip through the home side's batting attack in just 53 overs.
“You can see Pat Cummins signalling he wants the small roller,” Haysman said.
“So Australia are batting again. I am astonished by that.
“Pakistan trail by 408, and Australia are batting again. I don’t understand that at all.
“And the workload has not been anything substantial whatsoever. I am stunned, I’m afraid.
“I am astounded that Australia are batting again. Astounded.”
Baffling decision from Australia. Should have gone for the kill, the only reason for this could be fatigue but they only bowled 53 overs in tandem
— Cow Corner (@CowCornerItIs) March 14, 2022
I also don’t understand why Australia didn’t force a follow on. Getting opposition out within 53 overs doesn’t make a case for resting the bowlers
— Canadian Maple (@obaidr786) March 14, 2022
In spite of more then 400 runs first innings lead, against Pakistan, Australia has not enforced follow on. This is not Cricket. ICC should change the law, and for team having more then 200 runs first innings lead. Follow on should be made mandatory.
— CA Sanjay D. Shah (@sanjaymira) March 14, 2022
Plenty of talk about Australia not enforcing the follow-on & many people not happy about it. Well, you earn the right to make that decision through dominating the game, as Australia have for 3 days of cricket. Only thing that ever matters is the end result. #PAKvsAUS 👍
— Nathan Watson (@N_Watson_) March 14, 2022
Aussies thinking of scoring 800 before declaring I guess such defensive cricket was not expected from Australia they had more then 400 and paki batters were under pressure they should have follow on but it's ok the more they bat the lesser will become chances of winning
— Muhammad Umar shehzad (@IamUmarShehzad) March 14, 2022
Doesn't make sense of Australia not enforcing follow on. Maybe giving bowlers a rest. 100 run more and Pakistan will lose by 250 minimum margin.
— Mayuresh Chavan (@MayurChavan8491) March 14, 2022
It also feels like the 2001 Calcutta test is always fresh in their memories...will be interesting to see how many times Australia have had the opportunity to enforce the follow on and how many times they have chosen yo bat again
— Yooshi (@moshiyoshii) March 14, 2022
Australia won’t again enforce follow-on in Asian conditions. 😅 2001 might still haunt them! https://t.co/kUoUOTfzfe
— DevrajR (@sports_freak_rd) March 14, 2022
Australia looking to go 1-0 up in series
The Aussies are in sight of their first win in nine Karachi Tests, and a 1-0 series lead and only time will tell whether Cummins' decision not to enforce the follow-on was a wise one.
Starc ripped through Pakistan's top-order, his 3-29 featuring wickets on consecutive balls - he was on a hat-trick for the 15th time in international cricket.
He narrowly missed the rare feat when Mohammad Rizwan was comprehensively beaten outside off stump from his milestone attempt.
Starc bended the ball both ways during a spectacular Pakistan batting crash as the hosts lost 9-92.
Sklipper Babar Azam (36) was the only batsman to pass 20 and the last pair - No.10 Nauman Ali and No.11 Shaheen Shah Afridi - featured in the highest partnership of the innings, 32 runs.
Starc's support cast included debutant Mitchell Swepson (2-32) who collected his first Test wickets and produced a stellar direct-hit run out, as did Labuschagne.
Cummins (1-39), Nathan Lyon (1-13) and Cameron Green (1-23) all claimed wickets after Australia declared some 35 minutes into day three.
Starc captured the prized scalps of Azhar Ali (14) and Fawad Alam for a golden duck in successive deliveries, following spinner Lyon removing Imam ul-Haq (20) and Swepson running out Abdullah Shafique (13) with a direct hit from backward point.
Those four wickets left Pakistan 4-60. Just 14 runs later, Rizwan was dropped by Steve Smith at slip from Cummins' bowling.
But the Australian skipper, in his next over, got his man when Rizwan (six) edged to wicketkeeper Alex Carey and, two overs later, allrounder Green trapped Faheem Ashraf (four) lbw before leaving the field with a thumb injury - he later returned.
Green's temporary absence brought Starc back into the attack and the paceman removed Sajid Khan (five), who feathered an edge to a sharp-hearing Carey: the gloveman demanded a review despite Starc and other Australians signalling they didn't hear an edge after an initial not-out verdict.
Soon after, Swepson took his first Test wicket, and the legspinner added another after Pakistan's final pair produced an innings-high stand.
with AAP
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