Ajmal strikes help Pakistan - Cricket News Roundup - June 23, 2012 - Part 2
Pakistan made an improved start during the opening session on Day 2 against Sri Lanka, courtesy a five-wicket haul by their premier spinner, Saeed Ajmal.
Resuming on 300 for 2, the doosra specialist cleaned up Mahela Jayawardene, the Sri Lankan skipper, before taking the wickets of Thilan Samaraweera, stumped, and Angelo Mathews, caught and bowled, on successive deliveries.
The hosts added 66 in the first session with Kumar Sangakkara reaching 139 not out, adding 28 to his overnight score. Day 1 belonged to the hosts, which saw Tillakaratne Dilshan scoring his 13th Test hundred.
Australian chairman of selectors, John Inverarity, believes that the inclusion of veteran David Hussey in the new centrally contract list shows that the door is open for him to play Test cricket for the national team.
The younger brother of Michael Hussey, the 34-year-old has yet to make a debut in the longer version despite being a regular in the other two formats. However, with youngsters failing to avail their opportunity and Ed Cowan, the Test opener, left out of the contract list, Inverarity suggested that the team is looking for reinforcements with the likes of Hussey, George Bailey and Peter Forrest, all remain in the reckoning for A Test cap.
"We have got our top six at the moment but if you are looking for a middle order option and the ones that come very much to mind are Peter Forrest, George Bailey and David Hussey. They are the ones that are to the fore at the moment," Inverarity said.
England One Day Skipper, Alastair Cook, said that he eagerly looking forward to the battles against Australia, claiming the series always holds special importance.
Cook currently led his side to a 2-0 win in the three-match series against the Windies, which also saw him hitting a century in the sealing second victory at Oval. Following the conclusion of the their bouts with the Windies, the Poms will take on the Aussies in a five-match ODI series.
"Everyone always looks forward to England playing Australia," said Cook, "It's going to be another good series -- they are the world's number one ranked side in one-day cricket so it's going to be another good real test for us in our home conditions.