Australia are in trouble heading into day 3 of the First Test after falling 151 runs short of Pakistan’s first innings total. The Aussies were all out for 303 and Pakistan are 0/38 in their second innings.
A David Warner century was not enough for the Aussies, Pakistan taking control of the match with the bat and ball. The Australian pace-men pushed hard for a quick wicket in the final session of the day, but the openers survived the tricky period before the close of play.
Warner is the seventh player to ever record 3 consecutive test match hundreds and the 2nd player to do it in the last 66 years (Adam Gilchrist). His impressive form with the bat made all the more magnificent as the batsman is still struggling through a groin injury.
“It’s very sore and tight but as people can see and are aware of it’s very hot out here and you don’t really have to run at high intensity like 20Twenty and one-dayers,” Warner said.
Warner was the only batsmen to go on with his innings and post a commanding score. Five of the top 8 Australian batsmen made starts, but were unable to translate them into meaningful innings.
Pakistan debutant Yasir Shah was the pick of the bowlers, spinning his way to 3-66 and picking up the prize-wicket of David Warner for 133.
Anthony Doolan picked a silly time for a quick single and was sent back to the stands for 5 with the sun cream yet to sink in. Captain Michael Clarke looked rusty after little time in the middle resulting from an on-going hamstring injury.
Clarke went for 3 bringing a confident Steve Smith to the crease. Smith danced down the pitch and looked comfortable against the good spin attack, but was halted after flashing a cut shot to point on 22.
Mitchell Marsh was given a lifeline on 26 after the umpire agreed with the appeal for caught behind. Mitchell Johnson convinced Marsh to appeal the decision and the review showed clear daylight between bat and ball. Unfortunately Marsh fell via the very system that saved him earlier after missing a sweep shot. He was given out LBW for 27 off the bowling of Zulfiqar Babar.
The Pakistani pace bowlers cleaned up the tail and showed there was still life in the pitch. The Aussie attack was unable to strike a blow in the final session, leaving Pakistan a commanding 189-run lead with 10 wickets still in hand.
The Australian spinners will need to bowl tight on and rip into the deteriorating pitch marks in order to make it hard for the Pakistani batsmen, who have played the better cricket so far in this First Test match.
Australia would be happy with a draw from this position, but the pitch has shown enough to encourage some hope for the bowlers heading into day 4.
