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| Pakistan chase world record victory • Australia 454-5 & 225-8; Pakistan 258 & 170-3• Pakistan require 252 to win with seven wickets remainingThe Pakistan captain, Mohammad Yousuf, will hold the key as his team chase a record 422 for victory after Shane Watson's maiden Test century gave Australia the upper hand heading into the final day of the first Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.Yousuf (45 not out) and the exciting youngster Umar Akmal (27 not out) steered the visitors to 170 for three at stumps on day four, still requiring a further 252 runs with seven wickets remaining to pull off what would be the most successful run chase in Test history. To win, Pakistan must surpass the highest ever successful chase of 418 made by West Indies in their defeat of Australia in Antigua in 2003.Ricky Ponting earlier declared Australia's innings on 225 for eight midway through the second session with Watson unbeaten on 120. Having come so close on three previous occasions already this summer, Watson finally broke through for his first Test ton shortly after lunch – but only after being dropped on 99. The Queenslander spent 67 agonising minutes and 39 balls in the 90s before eventually reaching his maiden century.In front of just over 15,000 fans, including his parents, Watson, who had fallen short of a first Test century with scores of 96, 89 and 93 this summer, converted his seventh Test fifty into three figures after yet another dropped catch from the tourists.Pakistan have been plagued by poor fielding in recent times and have grassed five opportunities in this match alone. The game, however, now rests in the hands of their batsmen after Australia forged into a formidable lead on the penultimate day, despite the efforts of Mohammad Aamer, who finished with five for 79.The 17-year-old had threatened to turn the match in Pakistan's favour with his first five-wicket haul in Test cricket, tearing through the Australia middle-order in the first session to reduce the hosts to 161 for six. Aamer captured three wickets in the space of 16 balls to have Australia on the ropes.Playing in his seventh Test, he took the wicket of Michael Clarke for 37 before following up with Marcus North (six) and Brad Haddin for a duck two balls later as Pakistan took the fight up to the hosts.Clarke and Watson put on 103 runs for the fourth wicket before the vice-captain was caught behind by Kamran Akmal. Watson brought up his milestone when he drove at a full delivery from Aamer in the third over after lunch that flew straight through the hands of Abdur Rauf at backward point. The 28-year-old managed a wry smile as he strolled through for a single before raising his arms in celebration as he became the first Australian to make a Test century since Michael Hussey against England at The Oval in August.Pakistan's chase got off to a rocky start when Doug Bollinger claimed an early breakthrough trapping Imran Farhat lbw for 12. But Iqbal Faisal and Salman Butt steadied the ship for Pakistan with the former particularly brutal with any short deliveries, smashing a four off Mitchell Johnson and a six off Nathan Hauritz in consecutive overs.Johnson (one for 36) had the last laugh shortly after when he caught Butt plumb in front for 33. And when Iqbal, on the verge of a half-century, was deceived by a fiercely spinning Hauritz delivery and bowled for 48, Pakistan were staring down the barrel at 116 for three.They were lucky not to lose another wicket shortly before stumps when Hauritz dropped a difficult chance from Akmal from the bowling of the part-timer Simon Katich.CricketPakistan cricket teamAustralia Cricket TeamShane Watsonguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2009 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Taylor sets up final clash with Whitlock • Taylor dominates in 6-0 win over Mark Webber• Whitlock upsets Van Barneveled in thrilling matchPhil Taylor produced a virtually flawless performance as he trounced an outclassed Mark Webster 6-0 in the semi-finals of the PDC World Championships. Taylor will face the Australian Simon Whitlock, who earlier produced a shock when he beat Raymond van Barneveld in thrilling fashion.Taylor was never in any trouble as he eased to victory over an opponent who missed the rare openings offered to him in a nervy performance, and will now do battle with Whitlock in the final as he looks to secure his 15th world title.Taylor told Sky Sports 1 afterwards: "That's how you play a semi-final, you have to attack. He's a good player and all the way through I was thinking 'Concentrate, concentrate, concentrate'. You really have to throw every dart."He can play so I had to stop him from playing. He's a lovely kid, I love him to bits, but this is the semi-final of a world championship. No messing about."While Taylor breezed through his match, the first semi-final was a far more engrossing affair as Whitlock came from behind to book his place in the final with a thrilling 6-5 win over Van Barneveld.Whitlock, who will now contest his first PDC final, was 4-2 behind to the Dutchman and looked odds on to be ousted at Alexandra Palace, but mounted a comeback against his tiring opponent and dominated the final set.The unseeded Whitlock, 40, revealed he suffered an attack nerves as he threw for the match."I couldn't believe it went in. I was so nervous. I just flung in," he said. "Going for that last double, that's the hardest one to hit - the one to win the match."I never gave up. I sensed Raymond was getting tired and I knew I had to try and hang in there and sneak a few legs. If I could hang in and keep pushing I thought I would get a chance and I got that chance."Van Barneveld, meanwhile, had no regrets about his own form in the match."I was very comfortable backstage at 2-4. Funnily enough it was my best game ever. I played so well and lost. I played not right and hardly dropped a set. Now I play right and I lost."DartsPhil Taylorguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Chris Ashton called up to England squad for Six Nations Chris Ashton, the Northampton wing, has been named in the England squad for the RBS Six Nations Championship. feeds.timesonline.co.uk |
Affection for Rafael Benitez begins to seep away IN THE context of Liverpool’s appalling season, yesterday’s point at Stoke may ultimately prove about as beneficial as a blood transfusion to a corpse. They will feel at the mercy of a malign destiny after having been denied a glaring first-half penalty at the Britannia stadium, taken the lead in the 57th minute and held it until the last seconds of regular time and then been mortified to find Dirk Kuyt lunging to head the ball against a post with the goal yawning like a cave during the lengthy period allowed for stoppages. feeds.timesonline.co.uk |
NC State upsets No. 7 Duke 88-74 RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- Tracy Smith scored 23 points, Dennis Horner added 20 and North Carolina State stunned No. 7 Duke 88-74 on Wednesday night.... hosted.ap.org |