Pakistan threaten to run away with SA

Proteas need a desert miracle on crucial third day of Test as they rue sharp chances not taken

SA yesterday resembled what they have not looked like for almost a year in Test cricket — human. Today, they will need to be something approaching superhuman if Pakistan are not to take command of the first Test in Abu Dhabi.

Already Pakistan have a lead of 14 runs. Lethal batsman Younus Khan has been dealt with, but their most obdurate player, Misbah-ul-haq, is going nowhere slowly.

Also still in the trenches is Khurram Manzoor, who stayed under the radar for all of his six hours at the crease to score 131 not out.

Manzoor and Misbah took Pakistan to stumps on the second day on 263/3 in reply to SA’s 249.

Many a Test is effectively won and lost on the third day, and today’s play promises to add to that theory.

Yesterday’s action began with the end of Hashim Amla’s fine 118. He was straightened up by the second ball of the day by Mohammad Irfan, which cut across him, took the edge and flew to second slip.

Three overs later Dale Steyn was stumped off Saeed Ajmal’s doosra and the Proteas were dismissed for the day, having added just four runs to their overnight score. SYDNEY — Cricket Australia was yesterday accused of censoring a sponsorship message warning against mixing alcohol and sport because it conflicts with lucrative drinks deals, media reports said.

The advert was to be displayed around cricket grounds during a domestic one-day competition under way in Sydney, but has been reworded, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation said.

The original advert, from public health group Healthway, which

That was where the wickets dried up for more than three hours as Manzoor and debutant Shan Masood survived and prospered against an SA bowling strategy centred on a steady stream of shortpitched deliveries.

On Monday, Pakistan’s bowlers coaxed moderate assistance from the pitch. Yesterday, the surface was less helpful and SA appeared to be up the creek without a plan B.

Manzoor and Masood needed discipline to dig a deep foundation for the reply, and they had plenty.

SA had an opportunity to sep- sponsors the West Australian Cricket Association, said: “Alcohol — think again. Alcohol and sport don’t mix.” But Cricket Australia has insisted on a replacement that reads: “Alcohol — think again. Under 18 — no alcohol, the safest choice,” the ABC said.

The decision provoked an angry response from Prof Mike Daube of Western Australia’s Curtin University, a leading advocate for the McCusker Centre for Action on Alcohol and Youth. arate them in the fifth over of the innings when Jacques Kallis at second slip might have made more of a dipping edge offered by Masood off Steyn, and another in the second over after lunch when Manzoor sent a wide delivery from Vernon Philander screaming just out of the reach of a leaping Alviro Petersen at third slip.

For the rest, it was all about runs, 135 of them — Pakistan’s biggest opening stand in the Emirates and the first time in 34 Test innings that SA have conceded a century partnership for the first wicket.

“This is appalling censorship by Cricket Australia,” he told Fairfax Media. “Their priorities are clear. They are keen to protect their alcohol sponsors from messages that might offend them but do nothing to stop alcohol promotion that might offend health-promoting sponsors.

“I think (it) is just outrageous … that Cricket Australia isn’t allowing us to put out a very mild message,” Prof Daube said.

Cricket Australia said the advert

In the eighth over before tea a ball from JP Duminy pitched on Masood’s middle stump and straightened to trap him in front for 75. But SA will need to do more to stay in the match. was refused not for conflicting with other sponsor messages, but since it conflicted with Cricket Australia’s view that the relationship between alcohol and sport is one of consumption in moderation.

“We believe Australian cricket has a responsible relationship with alcohol,” a spokesman said.

“It is better to engage with the reality that many fans enjoy a responsible drink than it is to turn them off with a prohibition message they don’t believe.”