Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Sport
Russell Jackson and Adam Collins

Australia v Pakistan: second Test, day three – as it happened

David Warner has made a blazing start to Australia’s first innings at the MCG.
David Warner has made a blazing start to Australia’s first innings at the MCG. Photograph: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

Stumps - Australia 278-2 (Khawaja 95, Smith 10)

Australia were in complete control during that final session, plundering 147 runs, losing only the one wicket in the process. It could have been a lot different had Wahab kept his foot behind the line in the opening quarter hour though, clean bowling Warner with one of the better inswingers you will see at 150 clicks.

All told, Wahab has sent down ten no-balls; the worst nightmare for a fast bowler. It took the sting completely out of the Pakistan attack, who struggled to hold back Warner and Khawaja as they rattled off a stand of 198 across just 36 overs together at the crease.

Along the way, Warner registered his 17th Test ton. It was only the second time he reached three figures in the Australian creams in 2016, so he won’t mind much that it wasn’t the most convincing hand. But it did include some dominant strokeplay. Job done.

As for Khawaja, he’s been dreamy for an unbeaten 95 overnight. Encouragingly, with the Indian tour around the corner, his best shots have been against the spin of Yasir. He’ll be after his sixth Test ton when play resumes at 10am tomorrow.

When it does, Australia will be 165 behind after Pakistan declared at 443-9 earlier today, Azhar Ali finishing with a superb, chanceless 206. Due to the threat of rain again tomorrow - storms even - a result in this Test looks unlikely. But with over 400 runs struck on day three here at the MCG, the 25,000 in attendance certainly got what they paid for.

I might leave it there. It’ll be Russell Jackson back with you tomorrow morning for Guardian Australia’s live, over-by-over coverage. Have a lovely evening.

58th over: Australia 278-2 (Khawaja 95, Smith 10). Khawaja too cool and calm to worry about the ton overnight. Defending and leaving, even after a man drops out for the last ball. He gets one, so he’ll have the strike. Nicely done. I’ll wrap up the day in a tic as the players leave the ground at stumps.

57th over: Australia 277-2 (Khawaja 94, Smith 10). A maiden from Sohail to Smith, so Khawaja has to wait. But another way of looking at it is that it meant the over only took three minutes - mercifully quick for Sohail - securing a final over. It’ll be Amir rather than Yasir for it. Khawaja six to get. Australia 166 behind.

56th over: Australia 277-2 (Khawaja 94, Smith 10). Another Yasir over, another couple of boundaries. They’ve feasted on him in this final session. Khawaja is bold enough to still sweep this late in the day, rewarded with four runs. Then he drives him joyously through cover to end the over. He’s 94 with five minutes left. Maybe two overs. Carn, Usman. Do it.

55th over: Australia 269-2 (Khawaja 86, Smith 10). Sohail back into the attack from the Southern End and squares up Smith with movement that hasn’t been there at all today. Nice areas, big boy. Nice areas. It is wide of second slip, which is unfortunate for the visitors who could really do with not worrying about Sniffer Smith in the AM. Anyway, not to be. Two overs to go, I reckon.

54th over: Australia 264-2 (Khawaja 85, Smith 6). Yasir was the highest ranked bowler in the world according to the ICC about six months ago. He’s looked anything but today, the Australians doing as they please when he’s been on. Saying that, they’re measured at this late stage of the day, Smith pushing him to mid-on to begin the over then Khawaja taking him out to midwicket later on. The captain very happy to defend the rest of the set.

53rd over: Australia 262-2 (Khawaja 84, Smith 5). Wahab vs Khawaja. Couple two fine leg off the hip. Easy. Couple more singles to either batsman. Not much to speak of here at this stage of the game other than the fact that Pakistan want out of here, and soon.

52nd over: Australia 258-2 (Khawaja 81, Smith 4). Three taken from Yasir, Khawaja driving through the off-side for a couple then grabbing one to fine leg later in the over, so he’ll keep the strike. 22 minutes until stumps. Probably not enough time for Khawaja to reach 100, but I hope he tries.

51st over: Australia 255-2 (Khawaja 78, Smith 4). Wahab gets another glove down the legside, to Khawaja this time. But he’s fortunate and it doesn’t go to glove. It’s the first of two boundaries in the over, Smith deep in the crease expecting a short ball, says Simon Katich, edging it beyond slip. Not convincing. Wouldn’t have mattered even had it crashed onto his stumps though, as it is a no-ball. Urgh. His final delivery is way down the legside, and Smith wants none of it.

50th over: Australia 245-2 (Khawaja 73, Smith 0). Yasir gets half an over at Khawaja, who takes a single to long-on. Then half an over to the new man Smith, who gets his eye in with with three defensive strokes. Solid.

49th over: Australia 244-2 (Khawaja 72, Smith 0). Warner’s demise came after smashing Wahab earlier in the over to the square leg boundary. The deficit came below 200 as well with a drive out to point. Anyway, let’s be glad that it happened rather than annoyed that it is over. Smith is the new man, seeing off the only Wahab delivery he needed to negotiate before the end of the over.

Updated

WICKET! Warner c Sarfraz b Wahab 144. (Australia 244-2)

Well, that’s a shame. Down leg, Warner tries to paddle Wahab around for yet more runs. But it’s the smallest tickle on the glove shown by DRS after Pakistan sent it upstairs after an initial not out verdict. Warner’s 143 ball stand comes to an end. His second ton of the year and 17th in all. It was a hand of highs and low, the glorious and the unconvincing. But he walks off with a Test ton to his name, an entertaining one at that, so we’re all grateful. As is Misbah for seeing the back of him, no doubt.

48th over: Australia 238-1 (Warner 138, Khawaja 72). Yasir continues, so Warner keeps with the theme and pops his first ball back over the bowlers’ head into the Members. His runs have caught up with his balls faced now. Someone want to pull up the quickest Test double tons? You know what, I will. I have time and I am your conduit after all. Top five: 1st = 153 balls, 2nd 163, 3rd 168, 4th 182, 5th 186.

47th over: Australia 231-1 (Warner 131, Khawaja 72). Wahab bowls a no-ball and everyone has a good laugh. Well, not me. I did something like this once and I still think about it about once a fortnight. Earlier in the over the was right on the mark with a bouncer to Warner and somehow didn’t go to hand after the batsman fended away. To end the set another short ball comes Khawaja’s way and he helps it down to long-leg for a single. He’s looking properly grouse on there. Australia have made 73 runs in the last ten overs.

46th over: Australia 227-1 (Warner 130, Khawaja 70). Yasir manages to string a handful of dot balls together, but then overpitches to Khawaja who dishes out another beautiful cover drive. More through point actually. Either way, it sure is pretty.

45th over: Australia 222-1 (Warner 129, Khawaja 66). David Warner in ODI mode now too. How good must that feel, well beyond 100 and braining them during the best conditions of the Test, the opposition already ropey? He could do some record book damage here. Of course, that’ll mozz him. But it is a risk I’m willing to take. And as I type it: ping! That’s a glorious cover drive to the boundary. Singles to four of the other deliveries of the over, Khawaja hooking the final of those.

Neglected to mention in my previous post that the Sixers win was set up by half centuries via Alyssa Healy and Ashleigh Gardiner and a 40 odd for Elysse Perry. Marizanne Kapp took a couple with the ball.

44th over: Australia 213-1 (Warner 123, Khawaja 63). First ball after liquid and Warner is reverse sweeping to the rope. Four men out now with Yasir operating, three on the legside. He picks out the long-off though to turn the strike over. All a bit easy. Some nice areas from the leggie to Khawaja though, beating him with a googly, then ripping past his pads, glancing to leg-slip. The pressure wasn’t destined to last though, Khawaja advancing with a purposeful stride to clobber the final ball through the covers with those languid limbs that got us so excited about this time last year. One-fa-71 for Yasir from 10 overs. One-fa-smashed.

Will do a bit of WBBL round up over the next couple of overs. First, in the Sydney Smash it is the Sixers knocking off the the Thunder in last year’s Grand Final rematch.

Updated

43rd over: Australia 204-1 (Warner 118, Khawaja 59). Last over before a little drinky poo, and it’s Wahab back into the attack. Good on Misbah for throwing him straight back into it. It looked like having the desired effect too in slowing things down, until he slid down the legside and flicked Khawaja’s pads, four leg-byes the result. Kiss cam is coming up on the TV during the drinks break. I bloody wish kiss cam would come up on me one day. I’d absolutely snog whoever I was next to. Speaking of... a song?

This should be the kiss cam song.

42nd over: Australia 200-1 (Warner 118, Khawaja 59). Warner has firmly put the foot down since reaching three figures, lashing Yasir through cover with the sort of drive you would see on a cricket card, his back knee on the ground at the point of contact. And with that comes the Australian 200. You wouldn’t say that Pakistan are in any real trouble, but their chances of winning the Test rely on changing the tempo of this innings pretty quickly. Meanwhile, I just overheard Bill Lawry on the TV commentary saying “clean as a whistle” and I feel a lot better about life.

41st over: Australia 194-1 (Warner 113, Khawaja 58) Opening up a fair bit now. Amir doesn’t do much wrong but Khawaja takes three behind square from his stumps, then Warner steers two behind point. Warner into white-ball mode in running him down to third man later in the over. Would have been four if not for how passionate Yasir is in the chase; he’s an outstanding fielder. Eight off it.

Lovely man Gary Naylor writes in. “The Amir stat,” that you can see below. “Have they tried tucking up Warner by going short, at his armpit with two men out? Obvious line for me.” They have not. Remember when that ball on the hip kept winning his wicket in England last year? Either way, going to have to mix it up to him now. Or it could get ugly.

My constitutional duty to include this reply to my earlier Watto bit from the scoreboard. Miss you, Big Rig.

40th over: Australia 186-1 (Warner 108, Khawaja 55). Spin on from the Member’s End via Yasir. And to his first delivery Khawaja clips to midwicket for his own half-century. Nice going, after spending more than half an hour on 49. 88 balls and a couple of hours at the crease. He’s done it easy, the Australian no. 3. Saying that, he gives a half-chance later in the over. Deep in the crease and cutting against the spin, an outside edge is won but flies beyond the ‘keeper Sarfraz and slipper Younis. Four for his trouble. Between times Warner took a couple to cover and a single to mid-off. Australia trail by 258.

Updated

39th over: Australia 177-1 (Warner 105, Khawaja 49). Yep, as predicted, Warner onto the front foot and driving with beautiful timing down to the long-on rope. Just about the best shot of his stay. A couple more through the cordon - albeit on the carpet - gets him a couple more. That’s 99. What will Amir do here? Misbah has moved into a catching point, but it’s down to fine leg for four and a century! Only 113 balls to get there. Warner’s 17th Test ton, and first at the MCG. He’ll bookmark this calendar year with two hundreds, at Sydney in his first knock and now at Melbourne at what may very well be his last if weather continues to intervene. 180 minutes, 13 fours the other numbers that matter. Running off the outside edge, there’s another two and it’s a very big over already with a ball to come and 12 netted. To be fair, wasn’t an innings without luck, including the shot to bring it up, a big inside edge. But he won’t mind.

38th over: Australia 165-1 (Warner 93, Khawaja 49). Davey is getting busy now. Enough of this respectful, watchful nonsense. His first scoring shot isn’t overly convincing, mind, pushing through gully (or thereabouts) at a very catchable enough height I fancy, had someone been right on the spot there. Still, it gets him four and into the 90s. He’s better off the back foot, forward of point for two more. A single ends the much more eventful over, into the covers. He keeps the strike and is within seven of a ton now. Won’t take long, he rarely does once getting this close.

37th over: Australia 158-1 (Warner 86, Khawaja 49). Chris Rogers being interesting on the radio, as he almost always us. Explaining that he prepared for batting by not drinking coffee before going out there in order to control his heart rate. He explains that Marcus Trescothick - his Somerset teammate from 2016 - does the opposite, by dunking a lot of Red Bull. Ball in hand, Amir is good enough to win Khawaja’s edge in another maiden. It fell short of the cordon. He looks the man most likely at the moment.

36th over: Australia 158-1 (Warner 86, Khawaja 49). Another maiden from Sohail, his second on the spin. No real sting out there at the moment following the Wahab Debacle. On this occasion it is Warner watching in defence throughout, before getting underneath a bouncer. I wish there was more to say about it. I really do.

35th over: Australia 158-1 (Warner 86, Khawaja 49). Unsurprisingly, Amir is back into the attack, replacing Wahab from the Great Southern Stand end. It’s a good return, forcing Warner to play without, beating him with one that darted away off the seam. A single behind point ensures that he retains the strike, 14 from 100.

34th over: Australia 157-1 (Warner 85, Khawaja 49). A maiden from Sohail, but it’s easy peasy for Khawaja leaving and defending in rotation. Possible heavy thunderstorms tomorrow being reported by the ABC on their call. Hope not, or this could turn into a pretty dreary last couple of days. All the more reason for Warner to get a bit selfish here. With just the one Test ton in 2016 - coming with his first hit back in January - he has a chance to convert his earlier luck into a very big hand.

More on Mark Nicholas. He was treated by the Australian team doctor after the episode. He was on air as recently as the tea break, according to Andrew Wu on twitter. Will keep you posted as we receive official updates.

33rd over: Australia 157-1 (Warner 85, Khawaja 49). Oh no. Wahab is really losing it here. Two more no-balls in the space of three attempts to begin his set. The first is another jaffa to Khawaja, colliding with his pad. There’s no appeal as the call comes early. It probably wasn’t out, but the very thought of it after knocking over Warner with one the previous over. He’s over by a mile the second time. Ugly. This is an awful feeling for a bowler. Couple leg byes and a couple to Warner through cover.

Some other news from the press box. CA have advised that Mark Nicholas has been transported to hospital for the second time in the match, experiencing more abdominal pains.

32nd over: Australia 151-1 (Warner 83, Khawaja 48). “This is gentle bowling, isn’t it. Dying down the wicketkeeper, it doesn’t look like anything that’ll extract an error from the batsman.” That’s Dirk Nannes, who doesn’t think much of Sohail, running away from us at the Members’ End. He’s not wrong. Khawaja is very happy defending and leaving. A three to end the over down to third man - albeit relatively in control - moves the Australians beyond 150.

How’s this popping up on the scoreboard? Be still my beating heart.

Updated

31st over: Australia 147-1 (Warner 83, Khawaja 45). Oh no Wahab has bowled Warner with a no-ball. It is a complete debacle, the middle of three no-balls on the trot. He’s distraught. It was such a pearler of a delivery as well, an indipping yorker that you dream of as a quick. 150 clicks. He won’t bowl many better balls in his career. What can you say? The 100 run syand comes up Khawaja takes a single later in the over. After each legal delivery to finish the over - the trio of no-balls occurring on his second attempt at a legal delivery - his shoulders slump at the injustice of it all. Well, maybe not injustice. But it’s an awful game, sometimes (most of the time).

Updated

30th over: Australia 138-1 (Warner 80, Khawaja 42). Warne and Slater are pretty happy that Sohail is into the XI. Balance, and all that. On that note, I’m shifting over to the radio commentary. Where Dirk Nannes is in the middle of of a comprehensive unpacking of Sohail’s action. That’s better. The over itself? He won Warner’s inside edge to begin, the vice-captain then taking a couple through the cover. Takes a while to build up to top speed, big Sohail. But not known for his second (third, fourth) spells. I’m very fond of him.

Updated

29th over: Australia 135-1 (Warner 77, Khawaja 42). “It would be a miracle for Australia to win this game,” says Shane Warne on the telly. Not sure I’d go that far, but a long way to go that much is true. Huge Wahab shout for leg before but it is angling a long way down Warner’s legside. 148kph - serious heat. They aren’t going upstairs, so at least they’ve improved on the earlier review. Surely that’s the worst in the history of the DRS? I’m sure Russell dealt with this. Inside edge from Khawaja when he’s up the business end. That’s fast as well. Much better from the Pakistani quick.

Updated

Hello, sportsfans.

Yes, it’s true we are probably draw bound. But David Warner’s having a party, so for that reason alone you can’t be better placed than the OBO for the protracted final session of this final day at the Cricket Ground. Especially now the sun is out.

Russ has put in a mighty stint at the northern end of the press box, and I’m happy to relieve him at the southern. I think he’s writing something about Big Josh Hazlewood, so keep an eye out for that later, his 100th Test wicket in the bag as well in that middle session.

Righto, we’re about five minutes away so let’s get to it. Adam.Collins.Freelance@theguardian.com for your classiest nonsense. @collinsadam for your low rent stuff. You know I trade in both. For now, have some culture so you can tell your mates you know at least one song from 2016 when Australia Day rolls around.

Kylie & Jase forever.

Tea on day three - Australia are recovering well

28th over: Australia 131-1 (Warner 77, Khawaja 39)

And that is that for the second session on day three. Azhar had another go with his leggies and there are a few single before Warner ends the session with a blazing cut through point, finishing as he played throughout his innings so far by picking up a boundary. Aside from the loss of Matt Renshaw, Australia have owned this session. I think we’re headed for a draw at the MCG, but make Adam Collins welcome when he arrives shortly.

27th over: Australia 125-1 (Warner 72, Khawaja 38)

We’ll have another over after all, with Amir getting through this one before the clock ticks over to 3:40pm local time. Adam Collins will be appearing from the bull pen after that and take you through to stumps. This time around it’s the tourists who wish the session would end. The Australians lost Matt Renshaw early but have consolidated brilliantly with this unbroken 79-run stand.

26th over: Australia 120-1 (Warner 68, Khawaja 37)

In what might be the second last over before tea, batting hero Azhar appears to replace Yasir with his own brand of leggies, but the result is not initially much different. Warner pulls two into the deep and there are plenty of singles on offer too. Amir will probably finish us off.

David Warner cuts to the off side.
David Warner cuts to the off side. Photograph: Andy Brownbill/AP

25th over: Australia 115-1 (Warner 64, Khawaja 36)

Amir has worked his way up to 141kmph now but he’s not extracting a worrying amount of bite or bounce from this pitch, so without tempting fate, I’m really starting to lose that gut feel about Australia crumpling into a heap and losing by an innings. It was probably a little pessimistic to start with. Amir strays outside off with a half-tracker and Khawaja caresses it wide of gully for four more.

24th over: Australia 111-1 (Warner 64, Khawaja 32)

As I feast on party pies, Warner and Khawaja tuck into Yasir. Warner hammers another full toss through cover and works a single, then Khawaja unfurls two cover drives of subtly differing class – one conventional, one square – to pick up two consecutive fours of his own. Australia thus pass 100 and this partnership moves from strength to strength.

23rd over: Australia 97-1 (Warner 59, Khawaja 23)

Mohammad Amir is back into the attack now and will probably get three over in before the break, though I must admit I’ve just missed most of his first over making a dash for the party pies and mini sausage rolls that just appeared. This is fearless work, of course, but a man can build up a certain level of hunger in the process.

David Warner of Australia on the charge.
David Warner of Australia on the charge. Photograph: Julian Smith/AAP

22nd over: Australia 96-1 (Warner 58, Khawaja 23)

Khawaja takes centre stage now, driving a full bunger for four wide of mid-off and then sweeping delightfully for another to start this Yasir over. At that point reader Peter Salmon arrives with more poetry chat, which has been a particular highlight today. “One of the groundstaff may look like Swinburne,” he says, “but surely it is the new mature David Warner whose career is the closest parallel. Just change the word ‘algolagniac’ to ‘compulsive slog-sweeper’, ‘flogged’ to ‘flog’ and ‘Theodore Watts’ to ‘the Australian cricketing hierarchy’ and you have Warner to a tee.”

How likely is it that Swinburne liked chilling on his couch and watching “carDoons”? Maybe some Hentai by the sounds of his own work.

Updated

21st over: Australia 86-1 (Warner 57, Khawaja 14)

Warner’s fun continues in this Wahab over, which starts with a boundary glided through gully off yet another no ball. Does the big left-armer bowl them from 19 yards in the nets? I bet he does. Khawaja looks like a matador as he swivels around and deposits a hop ball to fine leg. He’s also warming to his task. There’s a big appeal against Warner from Wahab’s penultimate delivery and mild comedy ensues when Gunner Gould swats a fly in front of his face in the act of giving it not out. With his trigger finger. Great theatre. One other thing: I was wrong about tea, which will be taken at 3:40pm local time, 25 minutes away now.

Yasir Shah in full flight.
Yasir Shah in full flight. Photograph: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

David Warner brings up his half-century, and 5,000 Test runs!

20th over: Australia 79-1 (Warner 53, Khawaja 13)

This Yasir field clearly needs to change. Is there anyone in the world other than Misbah who thinks it’s a winner? In this over it undoubtedly assists Warner to his half-century, because there are gaps everywhere on the off side. Four, two, and three make him 53 from 56 – an innings that has featured seven boundaries and a bit of luck across 90 minutes of blazing strokes.

David Warner is having a blast in more ways than one.
David Warner is having a blast in more ways than one. Photograph: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

19th over: Australia 70-1 (Warner 44, Khawaja 13)

With 15 minutes to go until tea the Australians are hardly putting their bats away. Khawaja almost chops on from the final delivery of the Wahab over, and it runs away for a boundary.

18th over: Australia 65-1 (Warner 43, Khawaja 9)

Yasir has found his groove now and looks set to work away from the member’s end for the rest of the afternoon. Both batsmen pitch a single here but only because the bowler is still pursuing this maddeningly plan set out by Misbah.

David Warner biffs it towards leg.
David Warner biffs it towards leg. Photograph: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

17th over: Australia 62-1 (Warner 42, Khawaja 8)

You don’t have to transgress far to be punished by Usman Khawaja, which Wahab learns well when he’s gracefully cut to the boundary first ball of this over. A no ball is the only other damage for the over, though it’s Wahab’s second. I guess he’s not ironing that issue out at this point of his career.

16th over: Australia 57-1 (Warner 42, Khawaja 4)

Yasir has a both a conventional and leg slip for Warner, but unperturbed by their presence the Australian sweeps riskily around the corner to pick up four and move into the 40s. That happened quick. There’s also two through point but Yasir continues with the 3-6 field. It’s a strategy that begs explanation.

15th over: Australia 51-1 (Warner 36, Khawaja 4)

Wahab cranks it up over 140kmph now in his second over and has Khawaja jumping around just a little as he’s deflecting the ball towards gully. It’s a far cleaner over from Wahab, who puts his inglorious start behind him with a probing maiden. And that is drinks.

Updated

14th over: Australia 51-1 (Warner 36, Khawaja 4)

Usman Khawaja is the new man at the crease for Australian and he gets off the mark with a streaky square drive through gully for three, which is followed by a leg glance for one. Not for the first time, Yasir has done his job brilliantly to get the early breakthrough.

WICKET! Renshaw b Yasir 10 (Australia 46-1)

Renshaw departs with an awful heave! Oh dear, what a way to go. Yasir’s still got that stacked on-side field and gets one to go straight with the angle after pitching on middle, and Renshaw unfurls a truly ambitious slog-sweep, missing it completely to be bowled neck and crop. He won’t want to watch that replay.

Matt Renshaw loses his off stump.
Matt Renshaw loses his off stump. Photograph: Julian Smith/AAP

Updated

13th over: Australia 46-0 (Renshaw 10, Warner 35)

As suspected in Amir’s last over, the front-liner is rested now and Wahab enters the fray. His second ball is scythed through point by Warner and that boundary is followed by three through the vacant cover region. The latter was a no ball, to add insult to injury. A few needless overthrows later and the whole thing is looking a bit ragged for the tourists. Wahab might as well have bowled that over right-handed.

12th over: Australia 35-0 (Renshaw 9, Warner 26)

Time for some spin now as Yasir appears for his first trundle of the day. He gets lucky with an absolute stinker to begin with, Warner only able to hammer a long-hop for a single to the man at fine leg. Renshaw is using his feet to the spinner, who has six men on the leg side. I’m not listening to the Nine commentary but I assume Shane Warne is going spare.

11th over: Australia 34-0 (Renshaw 9, Warner 25)

Amir is troubling Renshaw again here. Perhaps he’s in his head a little, because the bowling isn’t all supreme. The Queenslander looks best when he’s leaving outside off stump, which could be the trick here because the spell can’t last too much longer.

10th over: Australia 33-0 (Renshaw 9, Warner 24)

David Warner has settled somewhat now, or perhaps the bowling is just not as threatening. He glides a boundary through cover to start the over and then makes a mockery of my previous sentence by being all ends up by some away movement. No matter, he leans forward to the next one and caresses it through mid-off for four.

Pakistan’s Sohail Khan charges in.
Pakistan’s Sohail Khan charges in. Photograph: Andy Brownbill/AP

9th over: Australia 24-0 (Renshaw 9, Warner 14)

Not to sound like Ian Chappell, but first slip still looks far too deep to me. I wonder what Les Favell would think. Warner seizes upon Amir’s first in this over – and it’s by no means a bad ball – depositing it to leg for three runs. With that, my colleague Sam Perry and I are discussing Renshaw’s helmet grille. I just don’t like it, but can’t quite tell you why. More fascinating updates on that as they’re discussed.

Updated

8th over: Australia 19-0 (Renshaw 8, Warner 11)

Forget what I said an over ago. Renshaw now gets his mojo going, taking the strike against Sohail and confidently driving a full one to the fence at long off, and cracking a cover drive for two more to finish the over. Having middled a few now, hopefully he’s on his way.

Updated

7th over: Australia 12-0 (Renshaw 2, Warner 10)

Now a sustained spell of troublesome stuff for Renshaw, who is holding on against Amir but not looking like scoring with comfort against the left-armer. It’s a maiden over and helps build some pressure at one end.

6th over: Australia 12-0 (Renshaw 2, Warner 10)

Now it’s Matt Renshaw’s turn to get lucky. The left-hander sends a thick edge towards first slip off Sohail but the cordon is set a little deeper than required right now, so it falls short, and the single he gets in the ensuing mess puts Warner on strike. Warner picks up a more conventional boundary by turning Sohail to the rope at fine leg when he’s erring a little straight.

5th over: Australia 7-0 (Renshaw 1, Warner 6)

I honestly can’t even describe how bad that review was. What was Sarfraz Ahmed thinking? Anyway, Amir gathers himself and returns to his mark to reload and produces a far more realistic chances when Warner slashes one agonisingly close to the outstretched hand of Yasir at gully, picking up four but almost departing in the process. He’s living dangerously so far.

Matthew Renshaw turns the ball towards mid-wicket.
Matthew Renshaw turns the ball towards mid-wicket. Photograph: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

Not out!

How much more not out can you be? Warner missed that one by the width of two Darren Lehmanns.

Updated

Review! Pakistan think they have Warner caught behind!

5th over: Australia 3-0 (Renshaw 1, Warner 2)

And I think they’re being very optimistic.

4th over: Australia 3-0 (Renshaw 1, Warner 2)

Hmm, Sohail isn’t exactly Waqar Younis but a bit of movement away from Warner has the opener groping at thin air with an ambitious drive, not once but twice. Calm down, Davey. You’ve got all day. Warner duly re-establishes himself with a compact drive through cover, which brings him one.

David Warner mulls his batting strategy earlier on. We think.
David Warner mulls his batting strategy earlier on. We think. Photograph: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

3rd over: Australia 2-0 (Renshaw 1, Warner 1)

Dave Warner crumples forward into an awkward defensive stroke from the first ball of this Amir over, giving the man stationed a short leg half a whiff of a chance, but gets off the mark a ball later by confidently bunting to short cover. As Amir runs in for his final ball, an empty plastic bag is floating in the air right in my line of sight, and I’m suddenly thinking of Kevin Spacey.

2nd over: Australia 1-0 (Renshaw 1, Warner 0)

Fresh from his brilliant cameo with the bat, Sohail Khan shares the new ball with Amir. Perhaps Misbah thinks he’ll carry his momentum from one facet of the game into another, or perhaps this was a pre-arranged plan to offer right-arm/left-arm variety at the beginning of the innings. We know he’s not express (132kpmh in this over), but the use of four slips and a gully is testament to Misbah’s confidence in his accurate fourth stump line. His first over to Renshaw is a neat maiden.

1st over: Australia 1-0 (Renshaw 1, Warner 0)

Mohammad Amir steams in from the southern stand end of the ground to get things under way and Matt Renshaw is straight off the mark, turning him to mid-wicket for a quick single. Meanwhile, anyone familiar with the scoreboard plates in the Percy Beames bar will understand the significance of the tweet below. Viv remains on the wall of fame with Mailey, Sarfraz and Cowper!

The Pakistan innings all told

Azhar was superb, ending up undefeated on 205 from 364 deliveries in a marathon stay, and the other hero today was Sohail Khan, who celebrated his elevation to the side by clubbing Australia’s bowlers to all corners in an entertaining hand of 65. He might have reached three figures by now if he hadn’t been run out looking for a quick single.

The pick of Australia’s bowlers was Josh Hazlewood, who was indefatigable in his 3-50 from 32.3 overs. Jackson Bird’s 3-113 from 34 overs provided ample support, but Mitch Starc (1-125 from 31) looks in serious need of a rest. Crowd favourite Nathan Lyon ended up with 1-115 from 21 overs and was flogged like a rental car today by Sohail Khan.

This should be an interesting mini session before tea. Quick wickets could cause chaos, though Australia’s openers will know how fun Azhar found it batting on this track. They’ll be under way in a matter of minutes.

Pakistan declare: WICKET! Wahab Riaz c&b Hazlewood 1 (Pakistan 443-9)

It’s all over for Pakistan! Wahab has a big swing at Hazlewood and holes out, and Misbah promptly calls them in. That leaves Azhar Ali unconquered on 205 – the highest Test score in Australia by a Pakistan batsman. What a pleasure it has been to watch it live. More figures shortly before the Aussie openers stride out.

Azhar Ali was magnificent in his undefeated 205.
Azhar Ali was magnificent in his undefeated 205. Photograph: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

Updated

A double century for Azhar Ali!

126th over: Pakistan 443-8 (Azhar 205, Wahab 1)

Two hundred for Azhar Ali!. He brings up his milestone by tucking Starc around the corner for two and leaps into the air in celebration of a truly superb knock. His double-century came from 362 balls and has lasted 578 minutes so far. Nineteen boundaries have helped him along but it’s been a patient and measured innings, and one of indisputable class. Freed from the nervous 190s, he cracks a square drive through gully for four more. What an innings this has been.

Wahab Riaz is the new man at the crease for Pakistan and Australia know well from his efforts in Brisbane that he’s no pushover with the bat. In this over he was off the mark with a single through cover, which put Azhar on strike for his milestone.

WICKET! Sohail run out (Maddinson) 65 (Pakistan 435-8)

125th over: Pakistan 435-8 (Azhar 198)

Disaster strikes for Sohail Khan after lunch as he’s run out off the final delivery of Josh Hazlewood’s over, scampering through for a quick single and failing to fully stretch out in his attempt to make ground. Nic Maddinson does a neat job from side on with the direct hit and it’s all over for the enterprising tailender. What a knock. Azhar, on the other hand, is now only single blow away from his double-century.

An idea

Pakistan could just keep batting and batting and wear Australia’s bowlers out for Sydney, right? Another idea: it’s a little bit annoying that play has stopped for 40 minutes of lunch while the sun suddenly beats down on the MCG. At least the Milo kids are getting a hit.

Lunch on day three

124th over: Pakistan 433-7 (Azhar 196, Sohail 65)

Not to be forgotten for his efforts, Azhar Ali reclaims the spotlight by gliding Starc between the cordon and gully to pick up four more and over into the 190s, then drives through cover for three. Right now he’s like a Dutch master giving a lecture on paint pigments as Damien Hirst dumps a shark in the middle of the room. Sure enough, Azhar cracks the penultimate delivery of the over through point for four more and then glances another. He might reach a hundred quicker than Azhar reaches his double, but they’ll have to wait until after lunch, which is called now.

123rd over: Pakistan 418-7 (Azhar 189, Sohail 57)

Things are a little more sane in this over, with a single to each batsman from the first four deliveries but Sohail is bored with that stuff, so clubs Lyon for another six over long-on. Mitchell Starc is getting a sore neck down there, watching them sail over his head. The Aussies are being pummelled here. Lunch (or a declaration) can’t come quick enough for Steve Smith’s side.

Sohail Khan of Pakistan is punishing Australia at the MCG.
Sohail Khan of Pakistan is punishing Australia at the MCG. Photograph: Julian Smith/AAP

122nd over: Pakistan 410-7 (Azhar 188, Sohail 50)

Wisely, Azhar Ali is giving Sohail as much strike as he can but Mitchell Starc is back into the fray now and slinging bouncers at the pesky tailender. It’s not a subtle approach but works well enough until Sohail brings up his half-century with a flick through mid-on. What a knock! He’s reached 50 from 59 deliveries across 73 minutes of madcap slogging and crisp hitting. Right on cue, Azhar finishes the over slashing Starc over gully for another four and joining in the fun.

Gary Naylor writes in with more poetry news. “Swinburne seems quite keen on day/nighters as a way to revive Test cricket if this is anything to go by (from In The Bay)”:
Like sunrise never wholly risen, nor yet
Quenched; or like sunset never wholly set,
A light to lighten as from living eyes
The cold unlit close lids of one that lies
Dead, or a ray returned from death’s far skies
To fire us living lest our lives forget.

But what does he think of Twenty20? And big bats? The pink ball?

Updated

121st over: Pakistan 402-7 (Azhar 183, Sohail 47)

Sohail Khan’s onslaught continues in dramatic style as he belts two towering sixes down the ground off the third and fourth deliveries of Lyon’s over then skies one out towards David Warner at deep square leg. The latter circles around, sprints into position, stutters a little and then fails to get so much as a fingernail on it. You can’t even call it a drop. Lyon is spitting chips and Pakistan are past 400.

Updated

120th over: Pakistan 388-7 (Azhar 183, Sohail 33)

Not content with going to town on Lyon, Sohail now unloads on Jackson Bird, freeing his arms and crunching another booming slog over cow for four.

Azhar Ali and Sohail Khan are teeing off at the MCG.
Azhar Ali and Sohail Khan are teeing off at the MCG. Photograph: Andy Brownbill/AP

119th over: Pakistan 382-7 (Azhar 183, Sohail 28)

Sohail Khan is playing a gem of an innings here and again he’s tucking in to Nathan Lyon, hammering him over cow corner for a massive six. Utter disdain for Australia’s spin hero. Rock ‘n roll batting.

Updated

118th over: Pakistan 376-7 (Azhar 183, Sohail 21)

Right, we’re back and it’s service as usual from Azhar, who strides confidently onto the front foot and drives Jackson Bird’s first delivery for a boundary. He’s looking very good for a double-century here, if that’s not tempting fate. He gets four more with a full-blood pull off the final ball.

This delay might not actually be as long as we thought

Ground staff are still out in the middle with only the two main pitch covers in place, and look as though they’re keen to peel them back off.

Updated

Rain stopped play

118th over: Pakistan 368-7 (Azhar 175, Sohail 21)

OK, I spoke too soon. That rain gets even heavier still and Gunner Gould waves the players off. Boooo!

117th over: Pakistan 368-7 (Azhar 175, Sohail 21)

Sohail is just winding the Aussies up now and gets down on one knee to paddle the ball past Matthew Wade. Steve Smith anticipated that improvisation and moved around for the catch but actually runs too far, and it glances his right hand on the way through to the fence. Wade tries to claim the moment back by smashing the bails off again when Azhar is well inside his crease, which achieves little other than giving Ian Gould some exercise. Again Jackson Bird will take the ball with rain tumbling down, though the umpires are happy to stay out there for now.

116th over: Pakistan 359-7 (Azhar 171, Sohail 16)

Gunner Gould is signalling to the ground staff as Jackson Bird begins the over but the message he gets back is clearly positive, because play continues. They’re hovering by the covers but the rain has eased by the fourth delivery, which Sohail squirts past gully for a couple more runs. A ball later he does even better, slashing over the same region for a boundary. Bad news for Bird; he’s brought up the wrong kind of century now.

115th over: Pakistan 352-7 (Azhar 170, Sohail 10)

Nathan Lyon gets things kick-started after drinks and Azhar might have received another message from his skipper at the break because he’s soon charging down the wicket and hoisting the spinner over long-off for a boundary, then sweeps for two.

Reader Daoud Khan arrives now with some thoughts on the recently-departed Amir: “Amir is one of those batsmen that is probably not good enough to be considered a lower order batsman but is far better than your average tailender and the same applies to Wahab Riaz and Yasir Shah. They are all worse than most test number 8s out there but at the same time having the three of them together makes for a pretty handy lower order and it does help that they are the three best all wicket bowlers Pakistan have.”

Ah yes, Australia have a decent amount of work to do here based on Wahab and Yasir’s batting in Brisbane. In worse news, rain is starting to tumble at a far heavier volume at the MCG and the umpires end the over in conference.

Azhar Ali pulls for a few more runs.
Azhar Ali pulls for a few more runs. Photograph: Ratnayake/REX/Shutterstock

Updated

114th over: Pakistan 345-7 (Azhar 163, Sohail 10)

As J-Bird continues from the southern end I’m delving further into the Swinburne archives via the ‘Delphi Complete Works of Algernon Charles Swinburne’. I quote: “In those days the discipline of athletics was not rigidly enforced, and he played no games. His references to football are perfunctory. We are told that he never possessed a cricket bat.” Sounds like a huge nerd to me. Zero stars.

That’s drinks on day three. I’m off to read some sado-masochistic cannibal poetry, as is the tradition at this point.

113th over: Pakistan 343-7 (Azhar 162, Sohail 10)

Speaking of masochism, Matthew Wade is already a bit bored so the introduction of spinner Nathan Lyon prompts him to whip off the bails when Azhar has the temerity let one pass through to the keeper. He was never out of his ground at all. Never change, Wade. Never change. A single to Azhar is the only damage in Lyon’s over.

112th over: Pakistan 343-7 (Azhar 161, Sohail 10)

As Jackson Bird arrives to replace Starc, OBO poet laureate Robert McLiam Wilson also appears with a welcome missive from Paris. “Most Rusty, I love the way Pakistan are grinding this out, blunting the oppo and the prevailing cliche about them (cue immediate mini-collapse),” he says.

“Before the late-eighties burst of exuberance, lots of Pakistani batsmen were uncommon grinders, Hanif Mohammad the most extraordinary. Also, love your covers pic. It does my heart good to see that at least one of the MCG groundstaff has the gob of a winsomely pensive and definitely doomed 19th century poet (look below). That’s Algernon Charles Swinburne as sure as eggs is eggs.”

For those, like me, who are unaware of Swinburne’s work, I quote reputable poetry review website Wikipedia: “Swinburne wrote about many taboo topics, such as lesbianism, cannibalism, sado-masochism and anti-theism.”

I bet he was an off-spinner who batted at eight and never paid his subs.

Updated

111th over: Pakistan 342-7 (Azhar 160, Sohail 10)

The runs are flowing freely now for the tourists, and Azhar continues to rattle along, gliding another boundary past the slips cordon to reach 160, which, remarkably enough, is apparently the highest score by any Pakistani in a Test in Australia. When the crowd is notified of this fact via the big screens, it gets a slightly bigger cheer than a regulation stop from Nathan Lyon earlier in the over. The crowd number? Four or five thousand max, I reckon.

110th over: Pakistan 336-7 (Azhar 155, Sohail 9)

Sohail Khan is looking like a thorn in Australia’s side here. After a single to Azhar the new man strides forward purposefully and clips Starc through mid-wicket to gather three. It’s possible that Azhar is now batting with a declaration in mind because he plays an uncharacteristically loose drive over cover, skying the ball for two with probably the rashest stroke he’s played in three days.

Azhar Ali on the pull.
Azhar Ali on the pull. Photograph: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

Updated

109th over: Pakistan 330-7 (Azhar 152, Sohail 6)

Hazlewood now takes his turn bouncing Sohail Khan, but it’s hardly ruffling the Pakistani. Moments later he launches himself at an ambitious drive and fires a thick edge towards third slip, but it’s past Usman Khawaja before he’s even thought to dive. He hasn’t had a great 24 hours in that spot, our Usman. Definitely should have thrown himself right and attempted a screamer there.

108th over: Pakistan 326-7 (Azhar 152, Sohail 2)

Now Azhar reaches another milestone by sweating on a bit of width from Starc and crashing him between gully and point with a rasping square drive. His 150 took 313 deliveries and a marathon 499 minutes. It’s hard to see his side losing the Test from here. If weather and partners permitted, I’m sure he’d be happy to bat for all five days.

Azhar Ali’s marathon innings continues at the MCG.
Azhar Ali’s marathon innings continues at the MCG. Photograph: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

107th over: Pakistan 320-7 (Azhar 146, Sohail 2)

Azhar knocks a single towards mid-on from the first ball of this Hazlewood over, clearly trusting Sohail to get the job done down the other end. He does, too, seeing off the rest of the Hazlewood over without fuss. There is very light rain falling now. Here’s hoping it stays away.

106th over: Pakistan 319-7 (Azhar 145, Sohail 2)

Sohail Khan strides out to the middle now and faces a predictably hostile reception from Starc, who hammers down a bouncer first up. The Australian paceman is cranking it up close to 150kmph but Sohail is handling it well enough and gets a couple of runs through square leg to start his account.

It’s a small but enthusiastic crowd at the MCG.
It’s a small but enthusiastic crowd at the MCG. Photograph: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

Updated

WICKET! Amir c Wade b Starc 29 (Pakistan 317-7)

Amir departs! Right as I talk up his batting Amir departs, tickling an edge around the corner to Wade. I’m not sure if that was a specific plan from the Australians but if it was it’s worked perfectly. Starc finally gets his first wicket and perhaps fittingly, does it with an ordinary ball.

Jackson Bird (left) and Mitchell Starc of Australia celebrate the wicket of Mohammad Amir.
Jackson Bird (left) and Mitchell Starc of Australia celebrate the wicket of Mohammad Amir. Photograph: Julian Smith/AAP

Updated

105th over: Pakistan 317-6 (Azhar 145, Amir 29)

Mohammad Amir gets his account under way for the day with an attractive drive through cover and the only pity is that the ensuing single gets him off strike before we can have a good look at him. He’d have to rate highly in the current ranks of tailenders around the world.

104th over: Pakistan 316-6 (Azhar 145, Amir 28)

With Azhar on strike, Starc has three slips, gully and his mid-on and mid-off are stationed close to the bowling crease. His first three balls are on the money but the next strays onto the pads of the centurion and he turns an easy two through the vacant mid-wicket region.

The covers are off and play is under way at the MCG.
The covers are off and play is under way at the MCG. Photograph: Julian Smith/AAP

103rd over: Pakistan 314-6 (Azhar 143, Amir 28)

Josh Hazlewood was favouring the southern stand end of the ground on day one but he’s now switched to the member’s end to pair with Starc. He could probably bowl it from square leg and still hit a decent line and length, to be honest. He starts with five dots and then Azhar leans into a compact cover drive to pick up three when Hazlewood over-pitches. That doesn’t happen often.

102nd over: Pakistan 311-6 (Azhar 140, Amir 28)

And we’re away on day three, with Mitchell Starc already two deliveries into his over already when he sets off to Azhar, and it’s a quiet start under Melbourne’s grey skies. Just a single to Azhar.

We will have some play after all!

That is the plan, anyway. 10:35am local time is the latest update, as long as the rain holds off, which is no sure thing today. The covers are now coming off and the hessian is being removed from the pitch. Watch this space.

Rain has delayed the start of play

I know, I know. Grim. The full covers are still in place, including the ones that cover the bowler’s run-ups. Players on both teams are still in their tracksuits, so there is no immediate prospect of action.

Updated

Preamble

Hello all and welcome to the MCG for day three of the Boxing Day Test, so far blighted by rain and dominated by Azhar Ali’s undefeated century, which might well continue well into the morning if we get some play in.

Just on that, the weather outlook is similarly bleak as yesterday, perhaps more so. It’s 28 degrees and humid at present but dark clouds cloak Melbourne and showers are forecast throughout the morning. Light rain is currently falling on the ground and the full covers are on, so Aussie Rules football is the order of the day for Australia’s warm-up. Pakistan are doing fielding practice, so might be looking at a declaration soon.

The question now, I guess, is whether we’ll get a result from this game. At its current rate of progress you’d doubt it. More on Pakistan’s declaration or otherwise soon.

Russell will be here shortly but in the meantime, check out his match report from day two.

Updated

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
From YouTuber to NASCAR driver: Cleetus McFarland expands his racing resume at Daytona
Garrett Mitchell is better known as “Cleetus McFarland” to his millions of followers gained over the years as a racing influencer
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Woman orders wedding dress from Dior. Then she sees the box it came in. People are alarmed at the reveal: ‘I thought that was a fridge’
Forget butterflies and happy tears. This Dior bride’s big moment arrived looking less like couture and more like a Home Depot delivery. In a now-viral TikTok, handymen lug a massive wooden crate into her house–except it’s the kind you’d expect to hold a fridge, not a frock.
The Mary Sue
The Mary Sue
8 Signs Your Healthy Southern Diet is Actually Causing Inflammation
Traditional Southern flavors often rely on fresh produce and lean proteins, but common preparation methods can unintentionally trigger inflammation. While many believe they are following a wholesome regional diet, specific dietary habits might be working against health goals. Identifying these subtle shifts in nutrition can help restore balance and improve…
Budget and the Bees
Budget and the Bees
The science behind the trend for showering in the dark before bed
The latest wellness trend and “sleep hack” involves switching off the bathroom light before stepping into the shower. In the dimness, the water feels louder, the day’s visual clutter fades and the hope is that sleep will come more easily. This practice, often called “dark showering”, has spread on social…
The Conversation
The Conversation
Country singer reveals horrific hate comment from follower amid incurable cancer diagnosis
Nat Myers first revealed his cancer diagnosis last year
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
So, How Did It Go When Blake Lively And Justin Baldoni Showed Up In Complementing Colors In Court? His Lawyer Speaks Out
This is WILD.
Cinemablend
Cinemablend
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.
Download on the AppStore Get it on Google Play