Waqar stars in Pakistan's win

By Ted Corbett

LONDON, JUNE 20. The authorities at Lord's, headquarters of cricket and the most famous sports venue in Britain, were forced to face the possibility on that the Pakistanis who threw firecrackers at Trent Bridge on Tuesday night might continue their assault by letting more off within hearing of those MCC members who prefer to doze their way through an afternoon of cricket.

There will be tight security for the final of the triangular tournament on Saturday when Pakistan, bouyed by its deserved victory against Australia at Nottingham, will expect to win again despite the return of Glenn McGrath, Australia's most destructive bowler.

Pitch invasions are more difficult at Lord's which also brings a wealth of experience in staging one-day finals at the ground to a difficult day. Australia, which plays England at the Oval on Thursday in the final warm-up match, remain favourite despite defeat by 36 runs at Trent Bridge.

It was a memorable match in every way. Off the field the Pakistani spectators, kept within two distinctive sections of the ground right under the eyes of an expectant Press Box, were noisy, colourful, enthusiastic and, apart from the 18 minutes break in play when Steve Waugh led off his side after a cracker landed near Brett Lee, only a minor nuisance.

But there was an element of hooliganism. I witnessed one firecracker let off only a few feet from a push chair containing a child who was probably less than two-years-old; I saw young Pakistanis drinking neat spirits; and at the end the charge over the nets by way of the advertising hoardings which were used as a spring board almost caught the players as they raced from the field.

But, Brian Bolus, a prominent Notts committee member told me this morning: ``We got away with it. The nets delayed those who wanted to get to the players, or steal the stumps or simply stage a demonstration. So apart from one steward who was winded there were no casualties, and no damage worth mentioning.'' Now comes the time for talking about next year's tournament when India and Sri Lanka join England in a three- nation event.

On the field the game rose above the hubbub on the terraces. You will travel the world and not see a better opener's innings than Salim Elahi played, nor more brilliant strokes than those in Saeed Anwar's 34.

After Waugh led off his troops when Lee was almost hit, the Pakistani batsmen, naturally, lost concentration but in the final overs Wasim Akram hit 28 off 15 balls. Despite all the mayhem and a bad start Damien Fleming bowled ten overs for 38; and he may give way to McGrath at Lord's.

Adam Gilchrist's response to the loss of two partners for nought and Michael Bevan for five was a cyclone of hitting: 12 fours and a six in 44 balls spent making 70. Steve Waugh was steadier with 56 and when the last two - Fleming and Jason Gillespie - were together it was possible to believe the game was still wide open until Gillespie was bowled by Abdur Razzaq in the 47th over.

Finally, wonderfully, exotically there were eight overs of spite and venom and superb skill from Waqar Younis who has now taken 13 wickets out of 20 in two one-day innings. If anyone can upset Australia at Lord's, this Pakistani firecracker is the man.

Standings: after Tuesday's match: (tabulate under played, won, lost, no result, tied, points): Pakistan: 6, 4, 1, 1, 0, 9; Australia: 5, 3, 1, 1, 0, 7; England: 5, 0, 5, 0, 0, 0.

Waqar Younis

Australian captain Steve Waugh (centre) talks to umpire George Sharp (third from left) as he leads his team off the field after missiles were thrown at his players during the one-day league match against Pakistan at Trent Bridge on Tuesday.

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