FAISALABAD, Sept 12: A fine unbeaten opening stand of 109 between Phil Jaques and Chris Roggers helped Australia ‘A’ consolidate their position against Pakistan ‘A’ after bowling them out for just 199 on the first day of the four-day game at the Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad on Wednesday.

Jaques was still at the crease with a 92-ball 56 to his name and Rogers was unbeaten at 50 when Australia ‘A’ finished the day at 109 no loss in 34 overs.

The visitors, who lost the three-match one-day series by 3-0 last week, bounced back on Wednesday to make a solid impact here and are only 91 runs adrift of the home side’s total with all first innings wickets intact.

Earlier, the Pakistan ‘A’ batsmen struggled against an accurate and incisive pace-cum-spin attack of the visiting side and were bundled out for 199 in 56 overs after captain Faisal Iqbal had decided to bat first by winning the toss.

The hosts made a shaky start and were tottering at 18-3 at one stage after left-arm medium-pacer Doug Bollinger rocked them with three quick blows in the morning session. The lanky pacer first clean bowled Taufeeq Umar for a duck and then had Yasir Hameed caught by David Hussey for a shaky 11. Soon afterwards, he dismissed Hassan Raza for no score to leave the hosts in total disarray.

Pakistan captain Faisal alongwith opener Khalid Latif (16) tried to improve the situation but right-arm medium-pacer James Hopes removed them one after other in a brilliant spell. Faisal went leg before for a brisk 33 laced with four boundaries and one six off 41 balls.

He was soon followed by Khalid, caught by wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi off an outswinger from Hopes to leave Pakistan in real trouble at 67-5.

Fast bowling all-rounder Abdur Rauf then set about a rearguard action and took the home side to a respectable total with a superbly compiled 73.

Batting at the number eight position, Rauf struck three sixes and seven boundaries in his 84-ball knock, belting almost all the Australian bowlers.

Bollinger returned with figures for three for 34 while

Dan Cullen (2-26) and Camron White (2-45) were the other successful bowlers.

The home team needs to bowl outstandingly on Thursday to come back in the match and must restrict Australia ‘A’ to a moderate total.

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