Aussies impressed with raw pace of Pakistan bowler Mohammad Aamer
By Guy Hand
December 28, 2009
His teenage physique is a work in progress, but the ability and attitude definitely show that Mohammad Aamer was born to be a fast bowler.
The 17-year-old Pakistan quick has been a star in the first Test, impressing with his pace and willingness to take the game up to Australia.
After 0-101 in the first innings, Aamer had the first five-wicket haul of his seven-Test career with 5-79 in the second dig.
It should have been six, with Abdur Rauf dropping a straight-forward catch to let Shane Watson reach his maiden Test century.
Aamer took it right up to Watson, even blowing him a couple of kisses during an impressive spell late on day three.
He diligently followed the team's plan of short-pitching bowling to Ricky Ponting to dismiss Australia's captain cheaply and started day four with another lively eight-over effort that returned 3-27.
English is clearly his second language, but fronting the local media after day four did not bother the confident youngster at all.
Asked if he really was 17, he smiled and said: "Look at my shoulders and wrists - a young, little boy. Maybe I will get faster as I grow older."
Aamer was also happy to talk about Watson and their on-field battle.
"(There's) no rivalry really, it's a game," Aamer said.
"If he is talking to me, then I am successful - it means he has lost concentration."
Asked about Watson's century, Aamer said: "He played a bad shot and was lucky to get there."
Aamer hit Watson with a couple of deliveries on day three and generally made a strong impression with the opener.
"I've had a couple of batsmen blow kisses at me, but not a bowler," Watson said.
"It was obviously a bit different when the bowler's blowing you kisses, but that's what Test cricket is all about - having a young guy run in and try to hurt you.
"To bowl as well as he did was extremely impressive."
Watson also admitted feeling relief when Aamer was taken out of the attack following his three-wicket spell early on day four.
"It was definitely very difficult to start (on Tuesday), there's no doubt, especially with Aamer bowling the way he was," he said.
"He's an extremely good bowler, it's amazing that he's only 17 because (of) the pace that he bowls, the skill that he has.
"Thank God he actually pulled up stumps when he did."
Aamer was most proud of his caught-behind dismissal of Michael Clarke, but said Ponting's dismissal was a major confidence boost.
Ponting was caught at deep backward square leg.
"It shows me there is no batsman too big or bowler too big, you only need to use your brain and have some confidence," he said.
"Seniors tell you how to go about it and if you follow that, you shouldn't be in trouble in cricket.
"Obviously I was really happy because he is a big player, but also happy because a captain depending on you, setting a field for you to bowl to and succeeding in that, whether it is Ponting or any other batsman, it is a great feeling."
AAP