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AUS vs PAK, 1st Test | Player of the Day - Nathan Lyon Helps Australia Get an Important First Innings Lead

image-lq8a91epNathan Lyon bowled an important spell against Pakistan (Source: x.com)

The day has wrapped up with plenty of action. In the last session summary, there were 84 runs scored, and 2 wickets fell in 33 overs. Day 3 is often called the 'Moving Day' in cricket, and despite Pakistan's determined effort, the game has tilted in favor of the home team. The hosts now lead by 300 runs.

Usman Khawaja and Steven Smith faced a tough challenge from the Pakistani pacers but managed to survive. Looking ahead, they aim to extend the lead and set up a substantial target. On the other side, Pakistan will be eager to make early breakthroughs and prevent the Aussies from building on their advantage. It's a crucial phase in the match, setting the stage for what's to come.

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Australia kicked off the pivotal 'Moving Day' positively, with skipper Pat Cummins dismissing the nightwatchman in the opening over. Despite this early breakthrough, they struggled to capitalize, allowing the visitors to form a solid partnership. The strategic move to introduce Mitchell Marsh into the attack proved effective, as he secured the crucial wicket of Babar Azam, injecting renewed energy into the Aussie side.

Before Lunch, Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc teamed up to take five wickets, with Starc finishing with three to his name. The trio's collective effort played a crucial role in shaping Australia's performance during this crucial phase of the match.


Detailed Breakdown of Nathan Lyon's Bowling Performance

image-lq85fb5zAnalysis of Nathan Lyon's Victims Dots% against him

Nathan Lyon achieved his 499th Test wicket but has to wait for the big milestone. Australia tactically played the waiting game both with the ball and the bat. In the second innings, they encountered a transformed Pakistan attack, witnessing David Warner's dismissal for a duck and Marnus Labuschagne enduring a painful blow on his right hand before departing with a modest score.

Facing a resilient Pakistan, Australia had to grind for every run, recording their lowest 10-over score in the last 30 years in this format. Steven Smith and Usman Khawaja weathered the storm, showing resilience and gradually building a substantial partnership. Pakistan showed solidity in the first session, with Imam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam building a stable partnership of 48 runs. 

However, Mitchell Marsh, the local talent, produced a remarkable delivery to dismiss Babar Azam. Unfortunately, Imam-ul-Haq lost his patience, taking unnecessary risks against Nathan Lyon, and his marathon innings concluded.

Lyon delivered a tempting full ball around the middle, which gripped and turned significantly. Imam-ul-Haq, attempting a slog across the line, couldn't connect, and Alex Carey behind the stumps executed a swift stumping. This marked the end of Imam-ul-Haq's commendable innings.

Nathan Lyon delivers a ball, slightly short and outside off. Aamer Jamal extends forward to defend, but the ball deceivingly stays straight, eluding the outside edge. Alex Carey swiftly collects the ball and removes the bails. Upon reviewing the replays, it becomes evident that Jamal's back leg was firmly planted on the line, with no part grounded behind the crease.

Conclusion

Since the hosts opted not to enforce the follow-on, Pakistan took the field to bowl, trailing by 216 runs. Shaheen Afridi and Khurram Shahzad made a remarkable impact in their opening spells, securing two early breakthroughs. Despite being a bit unlucky not to grab more wickets, they maintained pressure on the Australian batsmen, preventing them from completely dominating the game. The bowling duo played a crucial role in keeping Pakistan in contention.