Match Today: Pakistan v Australia, 1st Test (2010), Day 1, MCC Spirit of Cricket Series, Lord’s
A young and in-form Pakistani side will have revenge on its mind when it takes on a not so confident Australia in the first of two test matches at the home of cricket – Lord’s. The last time these two sides met was just about six months ago in Australia, and the hosts swept the test series 3-0 and followed it up with a clean sweep in a 5-match ODI series and the solitary T20 international.
However, Pakistan cricket has gone through a lot since then and now the team is full of youngsters and also has a new captain in Shahid Afridi, who wasn’t even present in the test squad that had lost to Australia. Pakistan won both matches of the two-match T20 series against Australia preceding this test series and they will be raring to go against a usually formidable Aussie side that suddenly looks vulnerable after losses in the 5 match ODI series against England and the T20 series against Pakistan.
The Aussies will have to get their act together if they want to get back to their dominant best. They will have to put the recent losses behind them and look to go out and intimidate the opposition like they have done on a number of occasions in the past two decaces. Australia’s experience will give them a slight advantage over Pakistan and the fact that they beat England at Lord’s just about 10 days ago means they are undoubtedly the pre-match favourites. But, Pakistan side has defeated Australia in the two T20s, and that will give them a huge confidence boost going into this game.
Match Timings: Jul 13, 2010 (10:30 local | 09:30 GMT | 15:00 IST)
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