Harmison Back To His Best
Steve Harmison’s best Test figures on English soil put his team in total command against Pakistan on the first day of the second Test at Old Trafford.
Pakistan were all out for 119 and England are already 49 ahead, ending the day on 167-2.
Harmison ended the day with 6 wickets for just 19 runs.
“I didn’t feel as though I nailed it at Lord’s,” said Harmison.
“Here I felt I was bouncing in and it was back to the same rhythm, run up and confident action I’ve always had.”
“I was in control of where the ball was going and in control of my action.”
Meanwhile spinner Monty Panesar took 3-21 in arguably his most impressive spell for the national team.
“Monty was awesome at the other end,” said Harmison.
“He kept the same man on strike all the time - so I had somebody to work over each time.”
He added: “Hopefully the wicket doesn’t get any better, and if we can bat a full day I can see only one winner in the Test match.”
Pakistan batsman Younis Khan pointed to two wickets fell in successive overs before lunch as key to Pakistan’s collapse to 119 all out.
Younis (44) followed Mohammad Yousuf (38) back to the pavilion after a fourth-wicket stand of 81.
“It was a turning point for England and also for us - after that we collapsed,” said Younis but he retained hope of Pakistan rescuing the match.”
“We have four days left and in the second innings two or three players could make hundreds,” he argued.
“England must play the last innings so if we have a lead of 200 it’s difficult for England.”
