Australia powerless to stop Pakistan attack | Thebigtip

Pakistan spark Aussie collapse - by AAP from foxsports.com.au

Pakistan swing merchant Mohammad Asif has sparked Australia's latest Test batting collapse on English soil as Ricky Ponting's men slipped to 9-229 by stumps at Lord's.

Asif (3-53) punctured Australia's middle order by capturing 3-0 off seven balls either side of the tea interval on a weather-affected day one of the first Test in London.

With memories still fresh of Australia being rolled by Pakistan for 127 on an overcast opening day in this year's SCG Test, there were fears for Ponting's batsmen from the outset.

After winning the toss, the disciplined Pakistan attack exploited the heavy, overcast conditions and remained patient even after Simon Katich (80) and Michael Clarke (47) had lifted Australia to 2-171.

Pakistan's pace trio of Asif, Mohammad Aamer (3-66) and Umar Gul (1-24) all thrived in the conditions but it was Asif's dismissals of Clarke, Katich and Marcus North in such a short space of time that really rattled the Australians.

Ponting's side lost 7-52 in the testing conditions with Mike Hussey (38no) and Doug Bollinger (0no) unbeaten when bad light ended play early.

The succession of wickets revived memories of Australia's capitulations during last year's Ashes series at Lord's, Edgbaston and The Oval.

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