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Aamer helps reduce Australia to 215-5 at lunch

Pakistan’s Mohammad Aamer, the 18-year-old left arm pace bowler, claimed all three wickets of the morning session to help reduce Australia to 215-5 at lunch.

Vice-captain Michael Clarke held firm for Australia amidst Pakistan’s onslaught and was 76 not out from 139 balls, while Tim Paine was on 17 at the Headingley venue being used by Pakistan because of security concerns at home.

Aamer had 4-53 and a match best of seven victims so far having taken the wickets of Ricky Ponting (66), Mike Hussey (8) and Marcus North (0) before the break.

Australia’s lead was worth 45 runs and they will need to stretch that figure as much as possible to maintain hope of an eighth straight test victory.

Pakistan, who must win to square the two-match series, are seeking a first test victory over Australian in 15 years.

The latest momentum swings were appreciated by a crowd that had swelled from the first two days when empty seats were widespread at the neutral Leeds venue. The east stand was two-thirds full as fans basked in sunshine.

The spectators were oblivious to a power cut that struck the town of Headingley, jamming the scoreboard at 179-5, with the Dickie Bird clock stopping at 11:46.

Television monitors around the ground also went off, which could have made for interesting times had the third umpire been asked to adjudicate on a possible dismissal.

The lack of power stopped the public address system from functioning and left fans unaware of the bizarre situation. A ground spokesman alleged that road workers nearby had cut through a main power cable supplying the town.