Atherton's century keeps Pakistan at bay

By Ted Corbett

KARACHI, DEC. 9. A Michael Atherton century scored at a run an over kept Pakistan at bay but, on a pitch designed to alienate even the most devout cricket lover, the third Test passed away in its sleep at the National Stadium on Saturday. Atherton batted eight and a half hours for 117 at the close out of 277 for four, and may beat his 11-hour innings at Johannesburg in 1995 when he resumes on Sunday. The push into the offside that brought Atherton's 16th Test hundred was one of only 198 runs scored in 89 overs as both teams demonstrated their desire to escape with a drawn series. Pakistan still has a lead of 128 but neither side has the will to win and no-one has the inclination to star. Geoff Boycott and Ken Barrington were both dropped for slow scoring 35 years ago but they were all-singin' all-dancin' entertainers compared with these dullards.

In the morning - after 12 hours of debate as to whether the true England overnight score was 78 for one or 79 - Atherton and Nasser Hussain added 66 runs in 32 overs so featureless that there seemed to be no point in playing out the rest of the match.

Neither Saqlain, one of the great offspinners, nor Waqar Younis, still the most handsome fast bowler, came close to surprising the batsmen much less getting them out.

The dangerous Shahid Afridi could not get the ball waist high, Abdur Razzaq came off the pitch like Dad in an Old Boys match and the talented Danish Kaneria looked as if he was about to cry. He should have wept a bucketful; this pitch is far too dry.

England could be thankful that at least Hussain, who has had a horrible 12 months, had made his top Test score for the calendar year and his top first-class score. Soon afterwards he hit Saqlain for six and reached his first fifty of the year in four hours and 20 minutes off 204 balls. Immediately after that he was caught at slip by a shocking leg break from Afridi that leapt, almost hip high. Hussain banged his bat on the crease in frustration; getting out on that pitch was as unprofessional as forgetting to wear pads.

Old man river just kept rollin' along. By lunch Atherton was 76 in four and a half hours, by the drinks interval he was 86 after only 21 had come in 17 overs and at tea 94 out of 199. Graham Thorpe was a tad more adventurous, the old pro with a vision of easy runs.

He flicked the new ball around, eased Waqar Younis to the cover boundary and then tried one drive too many and was lbw, a long way forward. It was hard watching, 54 runs in two hours even if the drinks interval was eight minutes long. It was easily the high spot of the afternoon.

The rest of the day was Atherton heaven. England saved the follow-on at 206 in the 98th over but the initiative was still with Pakistan since if this pitch cracks up on day five a lead of 150 might bring victory. Alec Stewart was caught at silly point - Youssuf Youhana's sixth catch of the series - after the pair had put on 61.

Loud cheers, squeals and chanting interrupted play from schoolchildren allowed in free and who, presumably, know no better. Or perhaps they have heard that a paint-drying exhibition is to open nearby. To think there are two days to go.

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