I’ve seen some crazy things in cricket, but that is right up there.
Alex Carey ought to head on down to the Lahore newsagent and buy a few lottery tickets.
Alex Carey enjoyed some luck.Credit:AP
How that ball hasn’t smashed into his stumps, we’ll never know. It hits the footmarks, angles away, clips the off stump, but the bails don’t come off.
Extraordinary scenes as Australia’s wicketkeeper survives.
The whole thing is even more comical in that Aleem Dar thought the ball carried to Mohammad Rizwan, but it fell about a foot short.
This partnership of 67 is critical. Australia hasn’t made a century partnership for the sixth wicket since Cam Green and Tim Paine put on 104 in the Sydney Test of 2021 against India.
Advantage, Australia.
The first hour of play has been all about the controlled aggression of Green and Carey.
They haven’t given Pakistan any chances, and have added 47 runs in the first hour.
To the naked eye, Carey appeared to hit the ground, rather than the ball, as he tried to defend a Hasan Ali yorker.
But a half-hearted Pakistan appeal was given out by umpire Aleem Dar.
Carey reviewed immediately, and told nearby fielders he didn’t hit the ball.
Upon review, Carey did miss the ball. The ball hit the stump, but didn’t dislodge the bail.
He was given out caught behind, but the ball also didn’t carry.
A truly bizarre passage of play.
The field is encouraging the South Australian to do so, and he’s taking the bait.
But Carey hasn’t quite found success with the shot just yet.
Given how well he has played this morning, he will be kicking himself should the reverse sweep be his downfall.
A cracking start so far from Carey and Green. That four from Green – which he cracked through point off his back foot – was easily the hardest hit ball of the match. Like his bat has springs in it.
Some seriously clean hitting at the moment and a healthy run rate. If these two can bat for another 10 overs, Australia will be back in a commanding position.
Cameron Green is on song with bat in hand today.Credit:AP
Meanwhile, there’s a pretty poor crowd in today.
However, our random Parramatta Eels fan is back at the other end, and we’ll endeavour to speak to him today and get his hot take on the blue and golds’ upcoming game against the Storm this weekend.
This has been a brilliant first 20 minutes from Green and Carey.
Alex Carey.Credit:AP
They’ve not played a false shot, have pushed forward and played through the covers with confidence and that has already provoked some frustration from the home side.
More batting like this before lunch will put Australia firmly in the box seat.
Carey will face Naseem, who has 2-36, to start the day.
Let’s see if Australia start the day with the same, aggressive tone they closed yesterday with, or whether they’ll bunker down to begin.
Morning from Lahore. In news that will shock no one, it’s sunny without a cloud in the sky.
It’s only 27 degrees at the moment, but we’re expecting temperatures around 35 later in the day.
Can Cameron Green make his mark with the bat?Credit:AP
Pakistan took the honours late on day one with three wickets in the final session but what I liked was that Cam Green and Alex Carey scored at 3.71 runs an over to finish the day on a positive note.
Australia made 40 runs in the final 10 overs. The second new ball is only five overs old, so Pakistan will be desperate to make the most of that this morning.
A bold prediction: Cam Green will make his highest Test score today (it’s currently 84). He’ll obviously need support around him, but Carey is in form and Australia’s bowlers have chipped in during the series nicely.
I’ll back them to help Australia beyond 400.
Australia v Pakistan LIVE: Green, Carey put Australia in strong position
Source: Philippines Alive
