Melbourne, Dec 29:
Australia fought back after early blows to take 241 runs lead over Pakistan on Day 3 of the second Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground here on Thursday.
At stumps, the hosts were 187 for 6 after dismissing Pakistan for 264 in the first session.
Mitchell Marsh played a very crucial knock of 96 runs after Australia were pushed to the wall as they crumbled 16/4 in their second innings after gaining a first-innings lead of 54 runs with the help of captain Pat Cummins’ five-fer.
Shaheen Shah Afridi picked up Usman Khawaja (0) and Marnus Labuschagne (4) in his two consecutive overs. Khawaja nicked behind the stumps to Mohammad Rizwan and Labuschagne was choked down the legside to leave Australia tottering at 6/2 at lunch.
The pattern continued post-lunch too.
Hamza bowled a double wicket maiden soon after lunch and Australia were reduced to 16-4. The left-arm pacer rattled David Warner’s stumps on the first ball of the over and then castled Travis Head for a duck on the next delivery.
Steven Smith and Mitchell Marsh stitched a perfect recovery for their side. The two batted together to add 153 runs to the total, ensuring Australia remained in the game after the early setback.
Hamza ended the partnership when Salman Ali Agha caught Marsh during the third session of Day Three. The Australian all-rounder was denied a century, falling for a 130-ball 96 studded with 13 boundaries.
Smith completed a gritty half-century (50, 176b, 3x4s) before he gloved it to Salman fielding at gully, falling to the trap set by Shaheen. Smith’s dismissal proved to be the final ball of the day.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Carey (16 not out, 42b, 2x4s) remained unbeaten at the crease as Australia ended Day Three at 187-6 in 62.3 overs, leading by 241.
