Katich says Pak pacer Aamer is always up for the challenge

Katich says Aussies knew Pak pacer Aamer had the mettle after he did well on flat tracks during the series down under

Katich says Aussies knew Pak pacer Aamer had the mettleu00a0afteru00a0he did well on flat tracks during the series down under

Australia batsman Simon Katich was all praise for Pakistan's young left-arm pacer Mohammad Aamer, who delivered another fine performance in the first Test at Lord's yesterday.

Pakistan's Mohammad Aamer bowls at Lord's yesterday

Pakistan's new-ball duo of teenager Aamer and Mohammad Asif took six wickets between them as they made the most of captain Shahid Afridi's decision to field first. Australia were 229 for nine at the end of the first day's play.

Katich said of Aamer: "He's an outstanding young bowler. We were impressed with him in Australia, given he was playing on very flat wickets.

"He's a really good competitor who keeps charging in."
Only left-handed opener Katich, with 80, has so far got past fifty with Michael Clarke making 47 and Michael Hussey 39 not out at stumps.

But Australia seamers Mitchell Johnson, Ben Hilfenhaus and Doug Bollinger will hope the cloud cover remains.

And Katich warned Pakistan's batsmen they might struggle too if conditions remained overcast
"We've got 230-odd runs in the bank," Katich told reporters. "If conditions stay the same, Pakistan may struggle too."

As recently as January, Australia were bowled out for 127 by Pakistan in Sydney yet still won the Test and Katich said: "A couple of guys will really enjoy bowling in these conditions and they've got a couple of inexperienced guys in their line-up."