Pakistan require 180 to win after Australia battle back at Headingley

No one among the largest crowd of the match so far – maybe in excess of 6,000 – was taking too much for granted at tea when Australia had been bowled out for 349. Their lead was 179, which has not always guaranteed victory at Headingley. The afternoon provided another highly eventful and entertaining session – with power restored especially to Steven Smith who smashed a career best 77 towards the end of the innings. Michael Clarke departed in the second over caught behind off Mohammad Asif, but this did not precipitate an Australian collapse. The tail wagged; the target grew. Tim Paine was increasingly assured until confronted by the one of the worst balls bowled by Danish Kaneria in the match. It was a long hop, which bounced high and was flat-batted straight to cover to leave the score at 246 for seven. Pakistan took the new ball as soon as it was available and Mitchell Johnson was palpably lbw to Asif. But still the Australians rallied. Smith, high of backlift, unorthodox in method, but powerful and eager to attack, continued to middle the ball with regularity. Some of his pull shots were awesome on his way to his first half-century for Australia. It will not be his last. Two consecutive sixes off Kaneria peppered the rugby stand. Ben Hilfenhaus was just as forthright, cracking four boundaries very soon after his arrival. By the time he was caught at slip off Kaneria, the lead was mounting fast. Eventually Smith was bowled by Umar Gul, seeking another boundary even though eight of the Pakistan fielders were stationed on the edge. A total of 180 required by Pakistan – theoretically in 223 overs. Good game. Lunch report Minor chaos at Headingley. A power cut struck at the ground and the surrounding area so the players had no idea what the score was as lunch approached. The electronic scoreboard remained stuck on 179-5. Dickie Bird's clock stayed on 11.45, all of which was an irritating distraction to a very fine Test. At lunch the score really was 215 for five, courtesy of Malcolm Ashton, the TMS scorer. So Australia had acquired a modest lead of 45 when the players disappeared for their lunch (presumably cold). The first hour belonged to Pakistan and Mohammad Aamer. He took three important wickets before Australia had taken the lead. Ricky Ponting, driving loosely away from his body, was caught behind having added just five to his overnight score. Then Mike Hussey was beaten by a cutter from Aamer, which brushed the shoulder of his bat before looping to second slip, where Umar Akmal dived forward to take the catch. Marcus North, bowled off the inside edge, failed to score. But in the second hour the Australians rallied as Australians do. Michael Clarke led the way and was well supported by Tim Paine. Neither Umar Gul nor Danish Kaneria could sustain the pressure. Suddenly the Pakistan attack was looking a little impotent but not as powerless as all the sockets in the new Carnegie Pavilion.