Inspired Asif spell turns first Test Pakistan's way

LONDON (AP):

Swing bowler Mohammad Asif's spell of three wickets in seven balls tilted day one of the first Test in Pakistan's favour as Australia collapsed to 229-9 at Lord's before bad light stopped play yesterday.

Australia were in a promising position at 171-2 just before tea, but lost seven wickets for just 51 runs in 23 overs as Asif (3-53) and new-ball partner Mohammad Aamer (3-66) impressed in bowler-friendly, overcast conditions.

Crucial spell

Opener Simon Katich made a patient 80 but was one of Asif's victims in a crucial spell either side of tea. Michael Clarke (47) was trapped lbw to an inswinger on the final ball of the second session before Katich and Marcus North (0) fell shortly after.

"After winning the toss and putting the other side in, it's important that you follow up with the wickets. Australia got a good partnership going, but the boys came back well," Pakistan batsman Salman Butt said.

"That spell (from Asif) had a huge impact on the game. That was the time when we came back into the game, with those three quick wickets."

Asif's and Pakistan's fortunes turned for the better after he was switched to the pavilion end from the nursery end, with Katich and Clarke having put on 120 for the third wicket.

"The wicket right on tea was a good ball and then we didn't win that half-hour period after tea," Katich said. "They got a bit of a sniff and got on a roll. But if the conditions stay the same, it could be hard work for Pakistan's batsmen also."

Mike Hussey helped stretch Australia's total with a gritty unbeaten 39 and Doug Bollinger (0) was the other not-out batsman at the close of play.

Test debuts

Both teams gave Test debuts to two players. Pakistan selected batsmen Umar Amin and Azhar Ali, while Australia picked leg-spinner Steven Smith and reserve wicketkeeper Tim Paine in the absence of the injured Brad Haddin.

The start of the match was delayed by 90 minutes because of a damp outfield.

Captain Ricky Ponting saw his disappointing record at Lord's continue, as he departed for 26, on a ground where he has not compiled a half-century in seven innings.

The last run of his knock did, though, see him pass West Indies batsman Brian Lara's run tally in Tests of 11,953, elevating Ponting to second on the all-time list, behind India's Sachin Tendulkar.