From: hasan@vxcrna.cern.ch 
Subject: Excitement and Controversy
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41    
Organization: European Organization for Nuclear Research, CERN
Date: Mon, 27 Jul 1992 15:18:00 GMT

    England managed to square-off the test series against Pakistan
    in a day of exciting cricket and mounting tension, no less than
    the fourth day of the Lord's test. It was England's first 
    victory against Pakistan in 15 tests -- the last time they
    won against Pakistan was at the same ground in 1982. My congrat-
    ulations to all England fans. But the day was also marred by 
    unprecedented controversy and drama even by the standards of an
    already notorious series in this regard. Here are my gleanings 
    from The Guardian of July 27 (based on the reports of Mike Selvey 
    and other staff correspondents). Enjoy!

		-Hasan

Mike Selvey writes,

        "The day was not without its sub-plots. The capricious 
        nature of the pitch meant that while England were always
        favourites, Pakistan could still hold out hope in the 
        light of the remarkable English collapse on Saturday."
                            .....

        "One loses count of the number of appeals in this match
        particularly from Pakistan, who generally bowl straighter
        than England. Very few of them were frivolous and most
        of them marginal, but only 5 of the 34 wickets to fall 
        were LBW and even those were of an apparently arbitrary
        nature: those given seemed to have no more merit than many
        that were not.

        Perhaps in the light of the Old Trafford hoohah Merv
        Kitchen and Ken Palmer took the view that, like
        sweater handling, an upraised finger might be mis-
        interpreted as a rude or arrogant gesture.

        At least twice yesterday afternoon things came close
        to boiling over. When Gooch had made 13 of the 37 
        vital runs that he manufactured, he attempted to take
        a second run to Waqar at long leg and was still 
        perhaps two feet short of the crease when the return
        came in and Moin Khan whipped off the bails.

        Thankfully, no potentially controversial replays were
        shown on the giant screen: it was a horrendous decision
        by Palmer.

        Later, with 50 still needed, Gower just 7 at the time,
        pushed at Mushtaq and Moin appealed for the catch behind
        the wicket. Kitchen was subjected to a manic frontal
        assault by the substitute fielder Rasid Latif, whose
        arm-waving charge took him from slip to within feet of
        the umpire.

        Gower was given not out; Latif threw his hat vigorously
        to the ground and looked as if he might stamp on it, 
        and Moin presumably had his two penn'orth as well."

Later, Rashid Latif was fined 120 pounds by the match referee, Clyde
Walcott, for dissent. Walcott's statement said: "Latif showed serious
and obvious dissent when he threw his cap on the ground. At a discip-
linary hearing the player admitted the incident and apologised". But
while Moin Khan was also given a "dressing down" -- he was told to
"grow up and be more responsible" -- Miandad earned a pat on the back
from Walcott. "I would like to compliment Javed Miandad on the way he
himself played the game and for the manner in which he tried to calm
his players, particularly during the incident involving Latif"

Another report in the same newspaper said, "Several umpiring decisions
provoked anger among the Pakistan team, with Wasim Akram showing disbelief
when a stream of LBW appeals went against him. Moreover, when Gooch had
made 13, television replays confirmed that Ken Palmer had been wrong to
reject an appeal for a run-out as England's captain attempted a second to
Waqar at long leg."

Mike Selvey concludes his report, saying:

        "All of which tends to cast a cloud over what yet again
        was a terrific game, containing memorable individual
        performances. In what promised to be a bowlers' match,
        one quality innings would make the difference and Gooch
        with his first-innings century demonstrated again the 
        resilience and determination he showed last year. Fred
        Truman made him the Man of the Match.

        But he might also have considered the claims of Salim
        Malik who, just as in the first innngs, ran out of 
        partners when a century beckoned. Undefeated scores
        of 82 and 84 represented 7 1/4 hours batting of the 
        highest quality. Yesterday, with Pakistan at 98 for 4,
        still 25 behind England, he scored 71 out of 123 added
        for the last six wickets, receiving support only from
        Inzamam, for an hour, and Wasim Akram."

                    ..........

        "... the last Englishman to take five wickets in an innings
        on his first bow was Neil Cook in 1983, and no on wearing
        English colours for the first time has bettered Mallender's
        match figures of 8 for 122 since John Lever took 10 for 70
        almost 16 years ago.

        As horses-for-courses selection, his inclusion was masterly
        and he should come into consideration for the Oval. He may
        not, of course, but either way his has been a memorable test
        debut.

        Nor in the aftermath should we forget Hick's catching -- one
        more would have seen him equal the test record for a single
        match, though he equalled the joint record for England. Credit
        also to Waqar's snorting, snaking bowling, and to Mushtaq for
        taking the first test wickets here by a spinner for five years.
        Finally there was Wasim. One for 116 will in years to come seem
        a shabby return for 53 overs of what was marvellous bowling.
        Perhaps he has shot an albatross recently, but whatever the 
        reason someone will surely pay soon."
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