David Warner’s maiden Test century at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) engineered an Australian fightback on day three against Pakistan but the second Test appears headed for a draw. Australia reached 278 for 2 at stumps, with Usman Khawaja 95 not out and Steve Smith unbeaten on 10.
It was a strong reply to Pakistan’s first innings of 443 for 9 declared, highlighted by a brilliant 205 not out from opener Azhar Ali – the highest ever score by a Pakistani in Australia.
With heavy rain forecast for day four, the most likelihood of a result was if Pakistan skittled Australia but Warner (144 from 143 balls) and Khawaja safely navigated their team past the follow-on during a match-tilting 198-run second-wicket partnership.
Warner, who passed 5000 career Test runs during the innings, scored his first Test ton since January and from the onset appeared a man on a mission. However, Warner had a lucky break on 81 when he was bowled off a no-ball from Wahab Riaz. The searing and reverse-swinging delivery was in the midst of three consecutive no-balls from Wahab, whose groove was blighted by overstepping.
Pakistan’s highly-vaunted pace attack was uninspiring, as runs flowed with ease from Warner and Khawaja. The pitch was flat and – typical of Melbourne’s erratic weather – the MCG became sun-lit in the afternoon as the mercury shot up to 38 degrees.
Warner batted positively but with minimal risk in a determined effort to steer Australia to safety and notch a belated Test century. The 30-year-old struck 17 boundaries and a six, as he continually plundered wayward Pakistani bowling during a calculated assaulted.
Late in the day, Warner’s brilliant knock ended when he faintly gloved Wahab’s short delivery down the leg-side in a decision that was overturned on DRS.
Australia had a conservative start to their innings with Warner and Matt Renshaw watchful early in an effort to stifle Pakistan’s momentum. There were plenty of plays and misses in a tough initiation for the Australian openers until Warner started to flourish.
Pakistan’s pace attack was threatening occasionally but not consistent enough on a flat pitch. With the pacemen unable to break through, Yasir Shah, the Pakistan leg spinner, provided the tonic by dismissing Renshaw (10), who was bowled attempting an uncharacteristic slog sweep.
Earlier, play was delayed by 30 minutes due to inclement weather continuing this rain-affected Test, where large chucks of the opening two days were lost. Starting at 310 for 6, Pakistan recovered from the early wicket of Mohammad Amir (29 from 27 balls) through a highly entertaining 118-run eighth-wicket partnership between Azhar and Sohail Khan, who plundered his maiden Test half-century and finished on a run-a-ball 65.
After a short rain break, albeit a fleeting one, Pakistan decided to hit out in a bid for quick runs after so much of the Test had already been lost. Sohail, clearly, relished taking a more aggressive approach and took the long handle to Nathan Lyon, smashing the off-spinner for four sixes during his highly-entertaining innings.
Meanwhile, Azhar was more orthodox but also shifted gears, as runs flowed off the blade of the Pakistani batsmen. Unable to once again curb Pakistan’s tail, Australia’s bowlers – bar the indefatigable Josh Hazelwood – were ragged as shoulders slumped in the field.
Pakistan reached the lunch break at 433 for 7, with Azhar unbeaten on 196 and the only interest was whether Misbah-ul-Haq would declare or let his opener reach his double hundred. There would be no relief for Australia as Pakistan continued batting on resumption but they quickly lost the wicket of Sohail, who was run out after sluggishly attempting a single.
Soon after, Azhar notched his double century, becoming just the fourth overseas batsman to achieve the feat at the MCG and the first from Pakistan. When Wahab was caught and bowled by Hazelwood (3 for 50 from 32.3 overs), Misbah finally called an end to the innings leaving Azhar just five runs from breaking Sir Viv Richards’s MCG record.
Having safely guided Australia past the follow-on, Warner and Khawaja have ensured the draw is almost an inevitability with heavy rain predicted on day four.
Brief Scores: Pakistan 443/9 decl.(Azhar Ali 205*, Sohail Khan 65; Josh Hazlewood 3-50) lead Australia 278/2 (David Warner 144, Usman Khawaja 95*) by 165 runs
