TOIL ON SADDEST DAY
WHEN your opposition reaches 1-302 with an inexperienced opener passing 150 you have to make the most of every chance, but Australia – incredibly – did not go to DRS when it had ImamUl-Haq caught behind.
The Pakistan batter was 144no when he snicked the ball off the bottom edge into Alex Carey’s glove. There was a solid appeal but not great excitement.
David Warner, who was in the cover, was pushing for a review but slip Steve Smith and Carey weren’t fussed.
Captain Pat Cummins, a man who rarely displays any negative emotions, allowed himself a wry grin that was slow to leave his face.
Imam, who made his maiden Test century on the first day, went to the break on 154no and Azhar Ali was 95no on a pitch that is batsman’s dream and a bowler’s graveyard.
The Australians, to their credit, have kept the run rate to three an over despite the long, hard toil.
If there was any excitement on the first day of the historic Rawalpindi Test it was extinguished on the second.
The score an irrelevance, the significance of the contest and its context clouded.
Pakistan was well in front at the start of play at 1-245, ImamUl-Haq had his first Test century and the chance to go on, the pitch offered nothing.
The Australians had been shaken by Rod Marsh’s death before day one, but it was not unexpected. Shane Warne’s death, however, the news arriving as they left play, shook the group and rendered the game an afterthought.
There was a sombre mood in the day two warm up, none of the usual levity, the volume muted.
Cummins spoke to the host broadcaster’s Neroli Meadows on the boundary line.
“It’s just a really tough time with both Rod and Shane,” he said. “We only heard yesterday just as we were leaving the ground.
“Everyone works through it differently. Everyone knew Shane, but some people knew him better than others.
“I probably took him for granted when I was really young.
“It probably wasn’t until his last couple of years when I was 10, 11, 12 years old and really appreciated just what a giant of the game he was.
“I probably started to learn and appreciate the art of spin bowling and his showmanship and all those things he bought to Australia. That’s probably my longest lasting memories and in recent years just playing across the world you just realise just that it wasn’t only Aussies who felt that. It was in all corners.”
With the home side in control at 1-245, the Australians knew they were in a difficult position.
“It’s finding that balance between trying to dry up the scoreboard and push for wickets,” Cummins said.
“There wasn’t a lot of spin or pace or much on offer yesterday for us bowlers. We’ve got to try to find a way. We’ve got to try and be creative but also hold as well.”
The players, who wore armbands and observed a minute’s silence for Marsh on Friday, did the same on Saturday for Warne on Saturday.