Ashes hope for England as Aussies stunned for 88
ENGLAND were handed early Ashes encouragement yesterday after Australia were dismissed for under 100 for only the second time in a quarter of a century.
Ricky Ponting’s side slumped to 88 all out in the second Test against Pakistan at Headingley – their second lowest total ever against the Asian side.
Wicketkeeper Tim Payne top scored with just 17 – one of only four Australian batsmen to reach double figures – as the Pakistani bowling attack ran riot in Salman Butt’s first match as captain, following Shahid Afridi’s shock resignation as skipper.
The Australians failed to handle Mohammad Aamir and Mohammad Asif, who bagged three wickets apiece, while fellow seamer Umar Gul chipped in with two more as the Aussies, leading 1-0 in the series, were skittled out in just 33.1 overs.
Pakistan showed how it’s done in reply, Butt (45) and Imran Farhat (43) putting on 80 for the first wicket before ending the day on 148-3.
The collapse will come as welcome news to England, who go Down Under to defend their Ashes urn this winter – but only after they play a summer series against Pakistan.
l Meanwhile, a decision of whether future home England Ashes Test matches will be available on free-to-air television has been deferred until after the digital switchover process in 2013, Sports and Olympics minister Hugh Robertson said yesterday.