| 0.0 : The famous Boxing Day Test has arrived as Australia will be locking horns against Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The hosts lead the 3-match Test series 1-0 and would be looking to seal the deal and provide the fans with a perfect present on this special occasion. |
| Pakistan on the other hand will be riding high on confidence despite the loss in the opening game. Scoring the highest fourth innings total in Brisbane and nearly chasing down 490 is a proud moment in itself. The Asian team needs their opening pair to fire and set the platform for the rest. The hosts have announced an unchanged XI, let's wait and see if there is any change for Pakistan. But for that the toss needs to happen. Stay with is as it is coming up in a short while... |
| TOSS - Steven Smith flips the coin and Misbah-ul-Haq calls it correctly. PAKISTAN OPT TO BAT! |
| TEAM CHANGES - Australia are unchanged from the last game. Pakistan have made 1 change - SOHAIL KHAN replaces Rahat Ali. |
| It's time to get underway. And as expected the big crowd is in to watch this game. They are brimming in anticipation as the umpires and players make their way out to the middle. AZHAR ALI and SAMI ASLAM are the Pakistan openers. MITCHELL STARC to begin proceedings with the ball. Here we go... |
| 0.1 : M Starc to Aslam, Not a good start! Starc comes steaming in and sprays this one down the leg side. Aslam tries to flick it on its way but fails to do so. |
| 0.2 : M Starc to Aslam, Very full and hurls it on off, Aslam tries to jam it out but is a bit late in doing so. |
| 0.3 : M Starc to Aslam, Fuller and curling back in from outside off, Sami stays in line and defends it off the front foot. |
| 0.4 : M Starc to Aslam, Keeps it full and serves it around off, SA stays behind the line once again and defends it down solidly. |
| 0.5 : M Starc to Aslam, Touch short and around middle and leg, Sami hops a bit in the crease and tucks it towards short mid-wicket. |
| 0.6 : M Starc to Aslam, Nice carry! On a length and just outside off, Sami Aslam lifts his bat and allows it to go through to the keeper. A maiden to start the Boxing Day Test then. |
| JOSH HAZLEWOOD to share the new cherry from the other end! |
| 1.1 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Starts with a good length delivery on off, Ali gets across and defends it towards mid-wicket. |
| 1.2 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Beaten! Hazlewood pitches this one up and lures Ali into a drive. He obliges but without any foot movement as the ball moves away a touch and just whizzes past the outside edge to the keeper. Perfect length to bowl at the MCG says the commentator on air. |
| 1.3 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Fuller in length and once again moves away a bit, this time Azhar shows patience and lets it go. |
| 1.4 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Fuller and hurled on the pads, Ali gets across a bit and flicks it through mid-wicket. It was hit in the gap but the boundary is too big here. The fielder cuts it off and they take three. Pakistan are underway. |
| 1.5 : J Hazlewood to Aslam, Fuller length delivery outside off, Aslam prods forward and then leaves it alone. |
| 1.6 : J Hazlewood to Aslam, Fullish length ball on off, Sami presses forward and defends it down on the track. |
| 2.1 : M Starc to Ali, Brilliant bowling! And the outfield is lightening quick! Starc fires in a yorker on middle, it curls back in a bit. Ali brings his bat down in time and just about manages to jam this one out. It goes through mid-wicket and Jackson Bird chases it down just near the boundary rope. Another three picked up. |
| 2.2 : M Starc to Aslam, Bangs in a short ball on middle, Sami ducks under it to let that one sail over him to the keeper. Wade does well to collect it with a leap. |
| 2.3 : M Starc to Aslam, Back of a length delivery outside off, SA makes a good leave to the keeper. |
| 2.4 : M Starc to Aslam, The southpaw shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 2.5 : M Starc to Aslam, Short of a length ball and angling in, Sami hops and fends it away on the off side. |
| 2.6 : M Starc to Aslam, Similar to the very first ball of the match. Sprays it down the leg side, Aslam tries to flick it down the leg side but fails to do so. |
| 3.1 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Fuller in length and angling in, worked towards the man at mid on. |
| 3.2 : J Hazlewood to Ali, A LOUD SHOUT FOR LBW! Hazlewood serves a length ball on off and it nips back in sharply after pitching. Ali brings his front foot across and looks to leave this one alone. But the inward movement beats him and hits him on the pads. Josh turns back to appeal but the umpire shakes his head. They think about reviewing it but Smith from slips signals it might be a bit high and hence goes with the onfield call. |
| 3.3 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Peach! Shane Warner on air screams - THIS IS THE LENGTH TO BOWL AT THE MCG! Fuller and angling in from outside off, Ali looks to drive it through covers but is beaten all ends up. Hazlewood is troubling him big time. |
| 3.4 : J Hazlewood to Ali, in the corridor outside off, Ali lets it go. |
| 3.5 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Fuller and comes back in again, Azhar looks to work it through the leg side but the bat twists in his hands and he ends up driving it back to the bowler. |
| 3.6 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| A short leg is in place... |
| 4.1 : M Starc to Aslam, Fuller in length and outside off, Sami presses forward and defends it with a solid straight bat. |
| 4.2 : M Starc to Aslam, Good length delivery, angling down leg, Aslam looks to clip it but the ball goes off something to the keeper. There was surely some noise but not of the wood. |
| 4.3 : M Starc to Aslam, SA has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 4.4 : M Starc to Aslam, Stays behind the line and keeps it out. |
| 4.5 : M Starc to Aslam, Angles in a length delivery on the hips, it's clipped towards backward square leg for an easy couple. |
| 4.6 : M Starc to Aslam, Good length delivery on off, Aslam defends it watchfully. |
| 5.1 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Outside off, Ali doesn't look at this one. |
| 5.2 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Fuller in length and moves away a bit, double A makes a good leave to Wade. |
| 5.3 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Fuller and angling in, it's driven towards the man at mid on who dives to his left to stop it. |
| 5.4 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Hits the deck hard and angles it down the leg side. Ali sits under it. |
| 5.5 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Very full and angling in, Ali drives it on the up back to the bowler who tries to stop it with his right hand but it bursts off his fingers towards mid off. |
| 5.6 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Angles a length ball on middle, tucked towards short mid-wicket for nothing. |
| First bowling change of the day then, JACKSON BIRD is brought into the attack, replacing Starc. |
| 6.1 : J Bird to Aslam, Begins his spell with a length ball on middle and leg, Sami gets across and tucks it towards the man at short mid-wicket. |
| 6.2 : J Bird to Aslam, Angles away a length ball outside off, Aslam shoulders his arms to that one. He will have to reload it again as he oversteps. So a no ball is called by the umpire. |
| J Bird to Aslam, Fuller and on the pads, flicked towards square leg. |
| 6.3 : J Bird to Aslam, On a good length and just outside off, coming back in a touch as Sami looks to defend it off the front foot. Gets an inside edge on the pads as the ball rolls away towards the off side. |
| 6.4 : J Bird to Aslam, Comes a bit forward and keeps it out towards covers. |
| 6.5 : J Bird to Aslam, FOUR! Beautiful drive! Sami Aslam gets his first boundary and it's first of the match as well. Slight overpitched and hurled outside off, Sami Aslam leans into it and drives it through extra cover. Warner sprints behind the ball but the lightening outfield fetches the southpaw a boundary. |
| 6.6 : J Bird to Aslam, Leg bye! Good length ball, angling in, Sami looks to flick but it goes off his pads towards the leg side and they take a leg bye. |
| 7.1 : J Hazlewood to Aslam, Good length delivery on off, SA lifts his bat and lets it through. |
| 7.2 : J Hazlewood to Aslam, Comes on the front foot and blocks it out solidly. |
| 7.3 : J Hazlewood to Aslam, Dishes out a sharp bouncer, Sami Aslam ducks to let that one sail over him to the keeper. |
| 7.4 : J Hazlewood to Aslam, Very full and outside off, the batsman comes forward and decides to let that one go. |
| 7.5 : J Hazlewood to Aslam, Comes from around the wicket now and angles it on the pads, worked towards short mid-wicket. |
| 7.6 : J Hazlewood to Aslam, Chance of a run out! Fuller in length and outside off, Aslam prods forward and taps it towards point. Lyon comes running in, picks up the ball and makes an underarm throw at the striker's end. Ali puts in a dive and even that wouldn't have been enough had the ball hit the stumps. He survives here as it goes well over the stumps. Risky running but gets the single in the end. |
| 8.1 : J Bird to Aslam, Fuller and angling in, worked towards mid on for a single. |
| 8.2 : J Bird to Ali, Gets on the front foot and defends it down towards covers. |
| 8.3 : J Bird to Ali, AA defends it from within the crease. |
| 8.4 : J Bird to Ali, Fuller in the channel outside off, Azhar lets it go. |
| 8.5 : J Bird to Ali, Touch fuller and around off, defended towards Lyon at point who moves quickly to his right to stop it. |
| 8.6 : J Bird to Ali, Too full and too wide outside off to make Ali play at it. |
| 9.1 : J Hazlewood to Aslam, Good length delivery outside off, Aslam thinks about going after it but then changes his mind as he drops his wrists down and lets it go. |
| 9.2 : J Hazlewood to S Aslam, Fuller in length and outside off, driven straight to mid off. |
| 9.3 : J Hazlewood to Aslam, Outside off, Sami doesn't feel for it. |
| 9.4 : J Hazlewood to Aslam, Back of a length ball outside off, Sami arches back to let it go. |
| 9.5 : J Hazlewood to Aslam, Fuller and angles it in on middle, Aslam prods forward and defends it towards covers. The bottom hand comes off in the process in the process as well. He wanted a single but Lyon is quick to deny him with it. |
| 9.6 : J Hazlewood to Aslam, Good length delivery on off, the southpaw taps it in front of point and once again won't be allowed to take the single. |
| 10.1 : J Bird to Ali, Stays behind the line and taps it towards point. |
| Nathan Lyon is seen warming up... Early spin at the MCG coming up? |
| 10.2 : J Bird to Ali, On a length and in the corridor outside off, Ali has got nothing to do with that one. |
| 10.3 : J Bird to Ali, Covers the line and answers it with a straight bat. |
| 10.4 : J Bird to Ali, Azhar defends it from within the crease. |
| 10.5 : J Bird to Ali, Touch fuller and around off, the batsman lifts his bat to make another leave. |
| 10.6 : J Bird to Ali, Length delivery outside off, AA stays inside the line to let it go through to the keeper. |
| Here comes another bowling change, NATHAN LYON to roll his arm now. He has a short leg and a slip in place. |
| 11.1 : N Lyon to Aslam, Floats it up around middle and leg, Aslam comes forward and works it past short leg to get off the strike. |
| 11.2 : N Lyon to Ali, Loopy ball around off, turning in, Ali flicks it through fine leg for a single. The crowd is right behind Nathan Lyon here. |
| 11.3 : Lyon to S Aslam, OUT! Nathan Lyon draws first blood. He has provided the breakthrough his skipper wanted him to. Lyon serves a loopy ball around off, turns away a touch. Sami Aslam presses forward to defend but the ball bounces a bit more than he anticipated, takes some part of the glove and pops up towards first slip where Smith takes a dolly. He throws the ball skywards and everyone is over Lyon here. The crowd was right behind the offie and he has delivered in his very first over. |
| BABAR AZAM is the next man in, replacing Aslam! |
| 11.4 : N Lyon to Azam, Gets across and defends it towards short leg. |
| 11.5 : N Lyon to Azam, Full and around off, defended off the front foot gently. |
| 11.6 : N Lyon to Azam, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 12.1 : J Bird to Ali, Fuller in length and outside off, driven with soft hands towards short extra cover. |
| 12.2 : J Bird to Ali, Touch fuller and outside off, Ali defend sit down watchfully. |
| 12.3 : J Bird to Ali, Comes forward and slices it between point and gully. But couldn't get the single. |
| 12.4 : J Bird to Ali, Fullish in length and outside off, Ali opens the face of the bat and pushes it towards point. |
| 12.5 : Bird to A Ali, Top edge but safe! Bird bangs in a short ball on middle, Ali swivels a bit as he looks to pull. Seems to have misread the length and ends up getting a top edge towards mid-wicket. The fielder runs towards the ball but it falls safely. A single taken but Ali would have his heart in his mouth. |
| 12.6 : J Bird to Azam, Fuller and around off, zipping in sharply as Azam looks to defend but gets a thick inside edge on the pads. Bird spots it and hence doesn't go up in an appeal. |
| Drinks are on the field. Pakistan did manage to see off the first hour but Smith handed over the cherry to the offie, Nathan Lyon who struck in his very first over. It's a good batting surface and let's wait and see if the visitors make the most of it in the next hour. They have to be a bit careful against Lyon though. |
| 13.1 : N Lyon to Ali, Loopy ball around off, Ali presses forward and defends. |
| 13.2 : N Lyon to Ali, Tosses it up on off, Ali comes down the track and drives it firmly back to the bowler. |
| 13.3 : N Lyon to Ali, Sees the flight and Ali once again comes down the track to clip it towards mid on for a quick single. |
| 13.4 : N Lyon to B Azam, Edged away! Lyon loops it up around off, it straightens a bit after pitching. Azam prods forward, playing for the turn which isn't there. Gets a thick outside edge past Smith at first slip towards third man. Bird in the deep puts in a dive but the batsmen complete three runs till then. |
| 13.5 : N Lyon to Ali, Darts it around middle and leg, worked behind square on the leg side for a single. |
| 13.6 : N Lyon to Azam, Full around off, pushed back to Lyon. |
| 14.1 : J Bird to Ali, Angles it down the leg side, Ali looks to flick but misses. |
| 14.2 : J Bird to Ali, Good length ball on middle and off, defended with a straight bat. |
| 14.3 : J Bird to Ali, In the channel outside off, double A leaves it alone. |
| 14.4 : J Bird to Ali, Fuller and angling in, Ali gets across and closes the face of the bat a bit too early. Gets a safe leading edge towards Warner at covers. A single is taken. |
| 14.5 : J Bird to Azam, Stays behind the line and taps it towards covers. |
| 14.6 : J Bird to Azam, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 15.1 : N Lyon to Ali, Flatter around middle and leg, Ali gets across and flicks it with soft hand towards fine leg for a couple. |
| 15.2 : N Lyon to Ali, Loopy ball, spinning in, Ali comes down the track to flick but is beaten by the turn and is hit on the pads. |
| 15.3 : N Lyon to Ali, Around middle and leg, flicked straight to the man at short mid-wicket. |
| 15.4 : N Lyon to Ali, Quicker around middle and off, skidding through, Ali goes back and pushes it towards covers. |
| 15.5 : N Lyon to Ali, Tossed up delivery around middle and leg, Ali covers the line and tucks it towards the leg side. |
| 15.6 : N Lyon to Ali, Loopy ball around middle and leg, Ali flicks it in front of FSL. |
| 16.1 : J Bird to Azam, Good length delivery on middle and off, Babar covers the line and defends it down. |
| 16.2 : J Bird to B Azam, FOUR! Sweet! Fuller in length and pitched up on off, Azam comes a bit forward and nails the drive through wide mid off. It rocketed towards the fence before I could blink my eye. |
| 16.3 : J Bird to Azam, Length delivery outside off, defended solidly off the front foot. |
| 16.4 : J Bird to Azam, Shortish outside off, Azam sways away from the line to let it be. |
| 16.5 : J Bird to Azam, Superb bowling! Fuller in length and moves away a touch, Azam looks to drive but gets beaten as the ball goes just past the outside edge to the keeper. |
| 16.6 : J Bird to Azam, Back of a length ball outside off, Azam punches it straight to Lyon at point. |
| 17.1 : N Lyon to Ali, Drifting in around middle and leg, clipped towards fine leg for an easy couple. |
| 17.2 : N Lyon to Ali, Full and around off, Azhar defends it back to the bowler. |
| 17.3 : N Lyon to Ali, Ali comes down the track and flicks it through mid on for a single. |
| 17.4 : N Lyon to Azam, In the air... safe! Lyon sees Azam coming down the track and hence bowls a quicker one around middle, Azam who is down the track is a bit cramped for room and as a result gets it off the inner part of the bat and is lucky as the ball falls safely in front of Handscomb at short leg. |
| 17.5 : N Lyon to Azam, Fuller around off, blocked out well. |
| 17.6 : N Lyon to Azam, Comes forward a bit and pushes it towards mid off. |
| MITCHELL STARC is back into the attack, replacing Bird. |
| 18.1 : M Starc to Ali, Comes from over the wicket and hurls a length ball across the batsman. Ali watches it till the last moment and then leaves it alone. |
| 18.2 : M Starc to Ali, Almost chops it! Angles in a length ball from outside off, Ali looks to defend it down but gets a thick inside edge just past the leg pole towards fine leg for a single. |
| 18.3 : M Starc to Azam, Back of a length on middle, Azam hops and fends it on the leg side. |
| 18.4 : M Starc to Azam, Short of a length ball on off, Azam once again hops and punches it towards point. |
| 18.5 : M Starc to Azam, Good length ball, it's curling back in sharply as Azam is beaten completely here. He fails to defend and is hit on the thigh pad. |
| 18.6 : M Starc to Azam, Lets out another length ball outside off, Babar is happy to leave it for Wade. |
| 19.1 : N Lyon to Ali, Flatter and short around off, punched off the back foot towards covers for a single. |
| 19.2 : N Lyon to Azam, Around middle and leg, turned towards short leg. |
| 19.3 : N Lyon to Azam, FOUR! Lovely use of the feet! Tosses it up around middle, Azam wears his skates, gets close to the pitch of the ball and goes over mid on. Clears the man easily and finds the fence as well. |
| 19.4 : N Lyon to Azam, More runs! Short and flat around off, Azam camps back and punches it through covers. The ground is too big as the batsmen get three. |
| 19.5 : N Lyon to Ali, Loopy ball around off, Ali pushes it towards covers and calls for a quick single. |
| 19.6 : N Lyon to Azam, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 20.1 : M Starc to Ali, Fuller outside off, driven through covers for a single. |
| 20.2 : M Starc to Azam, On middle and leg, worked towards the on side for nothing. |
| 20.3 : M Starc to Azam, Good length delivery on middle, Azam stays behind the line and defends it down. |
| 20.4 : M Starc to Azam, Back of a length ball on off, Babar once again defends it with a straight blade. |
| 20.5 : M Starc to Azam, That took off! Starc comes running in and dishes out a short ball outside off, it shoots off the deck as Azam arches back to let it go. Wade behind the stumps leaps as much as he could and collects it well over his head. |
| 20.6 : M Starc to Azam, Length delivery on middle, BA defends it down. |
| JOSH HAZLEWOOD is back into the attack! |
| 21.1 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Fuller in length and outside off, pushed straight to the man at mid off. |
| 21.2 : J Hazlewood to Ali, In the channel outside off, Azhar shoulders his arms to that one. |
| 21.3 : J Hazlewood to Ali, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 21.4 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Flicked through the leg side for a single. |
| 21.5 : J Hazlewood to Azam, Outside off, BA doesn't fiddle with it. |
| 21.6 : J Hazlewood to Azam, On a good length and around off, defended off the back foot. |
| 22.1 : M Starc to Ali, Risky running! Fuller and angling away, Ali taps it in front of covers and calls for a quick single. Azam responds late as there is a shy at the striker's end but Babar makes it in time. |
| 22.2 : M Starc to Azam, FOUR! Deliberately done! Starc angles it away outside off, Azam stays in the crease, allows it to come on the bat, opens the face and steers it past a diving gully fielder for a boundary towards third man. |
| 22.3 : M Starc to Azam, Good length wide outside off, pleasing Azam to go after it but he shows some patience and lets it go through. |
| 22.4 : M Starc to B Azam, Fuller in length and outside off, Azam slices this one through covers. It's not off the middle of the bat but will get two. |
| 22.5 : M Starc to Azam, Too wide and outside off, Azam doesn't have a go at it. |
| 22.6 : M Starc to Azam, Shortish in length on off, Babar hops and defends it away on the off side. |
| The lights are turned on as it has gone dark out there... |
| 23.1 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Angling in sharply on middle and leg, Azhar Ali looks to flick it across the line but is caught high on the pads instead. |
| 23.2 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Good line from Josh Hazlewood, in the channel outside off, Azhar Ali leaves it alone. |
| 23.3 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Banged in short on middle and leg, ducked and evaded. |
| 23.4 : J Hazlewood to Ali, A bit of inswing on that occasion, it's worked away on the on side with gentle hands. |
| 23.5 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Fires this right up there, once again there's some swing into the batsman. Azhar Ali strides forward and drives it straight back in Hazlewood's direction. The big pacer does well to bend low and get his right hand on it. |
| 23.6 : J Hazlewood to Ali, On a good length and just around the off stump, it's hit back down the track off the back foot. That'll be the end of the over. |
| 24.1 : M Starc to Azam, Starc comes charging in and fires across a length delivery, Babar Azam plants his front foot across and makes a watchful leave. |
| 24.2 : M Starc to B Azam, Much tighter from Mitchell and it's speared in on a full length, Babar Azam drives it back down the ground. The timing on that wasn't perfect but it's enough to get him three runs. |
| A forward short leg is in place now... |
| 24.3 : M Starc to Ali, Superman-like dive from Matthew Wade! It's banged in short and going down leg, way down leg and the ball seems like it will run away to the fence. But Matthew Wade dives a full stretch to his left and somehow catches the ball. Brilliant effort. |
| Leg slip in place now too... |
| 24.4 : M Starc to Ali, Back of a length delivery coming in to the body, it's blocked. |
| 24.5 : M Starc to Ali, Aimed at the hips, it's glanced down to fine leg for a single. |
| 24.6 : M Starc to Azam, Sharp bumper from Mitchell Starc. Babar Azam arches back a bit and watches as the ball whizzes past his helmet. |
| 25.1 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Fuller and strayed on the pads, it's flicked towards square leg where the fielder dives to his right to stop that one. |
| 25.2 : J Hazlewood to Ali, In the channel outside off, Ali lifts his bat and lets it go through to the keeper. |
| There are too many flies buzzing around the grill of Ali's helmet. Josh Hazlewood comes running and delivers the ball only to see he's being pulled off at the last moment as Azhar was distracted by the flies. Poor bowler has to go back and the look on his face says it all. |
| 25.3 : J Hazlewood to A Ali, Overpitched on off, Ali drives it past covers. Once again the fielder gives it a chase and keeps them down to three. |
| 25.4 : J Hazlewood to Azam, Back of a length ball on off, Azam waits for it to come on the bat and dabs it towards gully. Fails to beat the man there who dives to his left to stop that one. |
| 25.5 : J Hazlewood to Azam, Short of a length ball on middle, Azam covers the line and defends it back to the bowler. |
| 25.6 : J Hazlewood to B Azam, OUT! Edged and taken! Steven Smith once again is in the picture but credit to Hazlewood here. He kept on luring the batsmen to go after him and finally reaps the dividends. Hurls a length delivery on off, moves away a shade. Azam thinking it's the last ball before lunch goes after it to defend and sees the ball catching the outside edge of his willow. It flies towards the Aussie skipper at second slip who dives to his right to pluck it inches above the ground. Josh H |
| A perfect session for the home side as they have begun the Boxing Day Test on the right note. They lost the toss but will be happy to sneak in a couple of wickets. It is a good batting surface and the Pakistan openers braved well to see off the new ball. You got to give it to Smith who handed over the cherry to Nathan Lyon very early in the innings and he didn't let his skipper down. He removed Aslam in his very first over and got the crowd right behind him. |
| Babar Azam and Azhar Ali then steadied the ship and almost saw off the session before the former fell prey to Hazlewood just at the stroke of lunch. He bowled probing lines and lengths since the start and finally has something to show in the wicket column. Azhar Ali is still out there and will have the hero of the first Test, Asad Shafiq for company next. Can the duo make the most of the toss and a good batting surface in the next session? Or will the Aussie bowlers chip in with wickets regularl |
| Join us in a bit for the post-lunch session as it is surely going to be an interesting one. It's gloomy out there, the lights have been turned on and one can expect the ball to move around. Let's see what do we have in store next. Don't go anywhere as we will be right back at 0740 IST... |
| ...DAY 1, SESSION 2... |
| We are back for the second session. Starc will start the proceedings after lunch. Younis Khan joins Azhar Ali in the middle. Here we go... |
| 26.1 : M Starc to Ali, Back of a length delivery, Ali camps back and defends it. |
| 26.2 : M Starc to Ali, Short delivery outside off, Ali lets it go. |
| 26.3 : M Starc to Ali, Straying on the hips this time, Azhar nudges it round the corner for a couple. |
| 26.4 : M Starc to Ali, Well directed bouncer! Dug in short around off at 140.4 clicks, Ali has to sway away from the line to evade it. |
| 26.5 : M Starc to Ali, 4 Byes! Bowls it shortish outside leg, keeps angling down leg. Wade dives to his left full length but fails to stop it. Races to the fence and four byes signaled by the umpire. |
| 26.6 : M Starc to Ali, In the channel outside off, left alone. |
| Josh Hazlewood to bowl from the other end. |
| 27.1 : J Hazlewood to Khan, Younis Khan is off the mark! Back of a length ball outside off, Khan punches it through point and comes back for a double. |
| 27.2 : J Hazlewood to Khan, Fuller and strayed on the pads, YK flicks it through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 27.3 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Fuller in length again and angling in, Ali gets across and defends it towards the leg side. |
| 27.4 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Good length ball on off, tapped in front of covers for a single. |
| 27.5 : J Hazlewood to Khan, Leg bye! Hazlewood tries to be a bit more straight and ends up spraying it on the pads, Khan tries to clip it but gets it off the pads towards square leg. A leg bye is taken. |
| 27.6 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Length delivery hurled in the channel on off, AA makes a leave to the keeper. |
| 28.1 : Starc to Khan, Well bowled! Starc is right on the money! He fires in a very full delivery, coming back in sharply. Younis Khan does well to jam it out on the off side. |
| 28.2 : M Starc to Khan, Now he keeps it short on off, YK arches back to let it go over him to Wade. |
| 28.3 : M Starc to Khan, Angles in a length delivery, moving away from the batsman. He is happy to stay inside the line and let it go again. |
| 28.4 : M Starc to Khan, Fuller in length and coming in from outside off. Khan comes forward and pushes it towards mid off. |
| 28.5 : M Starc to Khan, On a length and some bounce as well, it's just outside off. YK lifts his bat and makes another good leave. |
| 28.6 : M Starc to Khan, Hits the deck hard again on middle, the batsman bends down to let it go over him to the keeper. |
| 29.1 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Ali gets across and works it through mid-wicket for nothing. |
| 29.2 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Fuller on the pads, clipped through mid-wicket again and this time he gets it past the fielder for one. |
| 29.3 : J Hazlewood to Khan, Angles in a length ball on middle, Younis stands tall and defends it off the front foot solidly. |
| 29.4 : J Hazlewood to Khan, Good length delivery outside off, defended off the back foot to the off side. |
| 29.5 : J Hazlewood to Khan, Pitches it up this time on off, punched down the track as the man from mid on comes to his left to stop that one. |
| 29.6 : J Hazlewood to Khan, Fuller in length on off, Younis comes forward, lifts his bat and keeps Wade busy. |
| 30.1 : M Starc to Ali, Back of a length ball on middle, Ali covers the line and defends it down the track. |
| 30.2 : M Starc to Ali, On a length and outside off, pushed off the back foot towards point. |
| 30.3 : M Starc to Ali, Good length ball on off, Ali gets across and tucks it towards the leg side. |
| 30.4 : M Starc to Ali, Bouncer! The batsman ducks under the bouncer at the last moment. |
| 30.5 : M Starc to Ali, Back of a length ball on off, Ali stands tall, fends it towards covers and scurries across for a brisk single. |
| 30.6 : M Starc to Khan, Fuller in length and slants it across the batsman, Khan has got nothing to offer on that one. |
| 31.1 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Angles it on the pads, clipped towards fine leg for an easy single. |
| 31.2 : J Hazlewood to Khan, Presses forward and shows a straight bat to bunt it back to Josh. |
| Younis Khan is adjudged LBW and it looks plumb to the naked eye. He opts for the review. Let's wait and see. |
| 31.3 : Hazlewood to Khan, NOT OUT! Excellent use of the review by the veteran here! The decision has to be overturned! Hazlewood angles in a length delivery on middle, Younis shuffles far to across to flick it down the leg side but is completely beaten and is hit on the pads. Josh turns back to appeal for an LBW and the umpire raises his finger. It looked plumb to the naked eye but Younis opts for the review. Replays show it was in line and would have gone on to miss the stumps. Oooos and Ahhss a |
| 31.4 : J Hazlewood to Khan, On a length and just outside off, YK shoulders his arms. |
| 31.5 : J Hazlewood to Khan, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 31.6 : J Hazlewood to Khan, Khan chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| JACKSON BIRD is back into the attack now! |
| 32.1 : J Bird to Ali, Bird angles it in and sprays on the pads, Ali clips it through mid-wicket and some good running between the wickets allows them to come back for the third. |
| 32.2 : J Bird to Khan, Good length delivery outside off, Khan defends it towards the off side. |
| 32.3 : J Bird to Khan, Gets forward and defends it off the front foot gently. |
| 32.4 : J Bird to Khan, Fuller in length and angling in, pushed off the front foot towards mid off. |
| 32.5 : J Bird to Khan, YK gets across to tuck it but gets an inside edge on the pads as the ball dies down. |
| 32.6 : J Bird to Khan, Younis isn't forward nor backward so does well to defend it off the soft hands back to the bowler. |
| 33.1 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Digs it short and down the leg side, Ali tries to pull but fails to get going with the shot. |
| 33.2 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Good length delivery on middle, driven with a straight bat towards mid on. |
| 33.3 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Fuller and angling in on the pads, flicked behind square on the leg side for a single. |
| 33.4 : J Hazlewood to Khan, Beaten! Fuller in length and served outside off, YK looks to drive but without any foot movement he nearly ends up nicking one behind. |
| 33.5 : J Hazlewood to Y Khan, Fuller on middle and leg, flicked straight to mid on. |
| 33.6 : J Hazlewood to Khan, Angles in a length delivery from outside off, Khan tries to defend but is beaten and is hit on the thigh pad. |
| 34.1 : J Bird to Ali, FOUR! Just a flick of the wrists! This is the first boundary for Ali! Bird angles in a full length delivery on the pads, Ali gets across a touch and just flicks it through square leg for a boundary. |
| 34.2 : J Bird to Ali, Fuller in length and wide outside off, Ali gets forward and drives it through covers and gets back for the third. |
| 34.3 : J Bird to Khan, Lovely stop! Short and a little bit of width on offer, Khan cuts it towards point where Lyon dives full length to his left to stop a certain boundary. |
| 34.4 : J Bird to Khan, Short and similar to the last ball, Khan rides the bounce as he pierces the gap through point and gully. They pick up another three. |
| 34.5 : J Bird to Ali, Fuller on off, it's left alone. |
| 34.6 : J Bird to Ali, In the channel outside off, double A makes another leave to the keeper. |
| 35.1 : J Hazlewood to Khan, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 35.2 : J Hazlewood to Khan, On a good length and around middle, Khan stays behind the line to defend it down. |
| 35.3 : J Hazlewood to Khan, Leg bye! Fuller and angling in, Khan once again shuffles across to flick but misses to get any wood on it. The ball brushes his pads and rolls towards the leg side. A leg bye taken. |
| 35.4 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Miscued! Fuller in length and angling in, Ali tries to drive but ends up playing it a bit too early. He chips it and can consider himself lucky as the ball falls well short of Warner at mid off. |
| 35.5 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Fuller on middle and leg, defended on the leg side. |
| 35.6 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Ali bunts it back to the bowler who tries to stop it with his right hand but fails to make it cleanly. |
| 36.1 : J Bird to Khan, Goes back and punches it towards the square of the wicket on the off side. |
| 36.2 : J Bird to Khan, Gets across and works it towards mid-wicket. |
| 36.3 : J Bird to Khan, Lyon takes a crowd catch! Fuller in length and outside off, Younis leans into it and drives it on the up towards Lyon at point who takes it. |
| 36.4 : J Bird to Khan, YK lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 36.5 : J Bird to Khan, Good length on off, punched through covers for a single. |
| 36.6 : J Bird to Ali, Fuller in length and on off, defended down gently. |
| NATHAN LYON is brought back into the attack! |
| 37.1 : N Lyon to Khan, Tossed up on the stumps, Younis gets across and forward to flick it towards mid-wicket. |
| 37.2 : N Lyon to Khan, On middle and leg, flicked towards short fine leg for a single. |
| 37.3 : N Lyon to Ali, Loopy ball around middle and leg, flicked towards the leg side. |
| 37.4 : N Lyon to Ali, Ali drives it towards long on for a single. |
| 37.5 : N Lyon to Khan, Gets forward and defends it down watchfully. |
| 37.6 : N Lyon to Khan, Loops it up around middle and leg, Khan flicks it a bit uppishly towards short mid-wicket for a single. |
| 38.1 : J Bird to Khan, Fuller in length and angling in, flicked through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 38.2 : J Bird to Ali, Good shot! Fuller in length and outside off, Ali comes forward and caresses it past Warner at mid off who gives it a chase and does well to keep them down to three. |
| 38.3 : J Bird to Khan, A shout for LBW! On a length and angling in, Khan is beaten by the inward movement and is hit on the thigh pad. Bird appeals for LBW but the umpire's turns it down. The height was an issue there. |
| 38.4 : J Bird to Khan, Good length delivery on middle, YK hops, has his one leg up and chops it towards point. |
| 38.5 : J Bird to Khan, Defended off the back foot towards covers. |
| 38.6 : J Bird to Khan, Very full and wide outside off, driven through covers for a couple. |
| 39.1 : N Lyon to Ali, Loopy ball around middle, driven towards mid on for a single. |
| 39.2 : N Lyon to Khan, Good fielding, Josh! Tossed up outside off, Younis makes a good stride forward and drives it through extra cover. Hazlewood gives it a chase and does well to scoop the ball back in play. They check it upstairs if his legs made contact with the rope when he had the ball in his hands. He didn't, three taken. |
| 39.3 : N Lyon to Ali, Ali milks it down to long on for a single. |
| 39.4 : N Lyon to Khan, Full and around off, defended off the front foot. |
| 39.5 : N Lyon to Khan, Short and turning in, Khan goes back and cuts it towards point. |
| 39.6 : N Lyon to Y Khan, Makes a good stride forward and pushes it towards mid on for a single. |
| Drinks break! |
| 40.1 : J Bird to Khan, Fuller in length and outside off, YK shoulders his arms to that one. |
| 40.2 : J Bird to Y Khan, Very full outside off, driven straight to the man at short extra cover. |
| 40.3 : J Bird to Khan, FOUR! Exquisitve! Fuller in length and around off, it was in his slot. He comes forward a bit, shows a full face of the bat and drills it through extra cover. The ball races away to the fence for a gorgeous-looking boundary. |
| 40.4 : J Bird to Khan, Fuller in length and on the stumps, driven back to the bowler. |
| 40.5 : J Bird to Khan, Khan doesn't fiddle with the delivery outside off this time. |
| 40.6 : J Bird to Khan, Gets on the front and drives it firmly but finds Khawaja at extra cover. |
| 41.1 : N Lyon to Ali, Shortish delivery on the stumps, worked to short fine leg. |
| 41.2 : N Lyon to Ali, Stays back and defends it towards short mid-wicket. |
| 41.3 : N Lyon to Ali, Ali plays it with the spin through mid-wicket and takes a single. It has been a composed knock and he needs to convert it into a big one. |
| 24th Test Fifty up for Azhar Ali. |
| 41.4 : N Lyon to Khan, Prods forward to this one and defends it. |
| 41.5 : N Lyon to Khan, Khan leans ahead and drives it with the spin towards mid on for a single. |
| 41.6 : N Lyon to Ali, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 42.1 : J Bird to Khan, OUT! GREAT BOWLING FROM BIRD! Bowls a fullish delivery outside off, talis back in just a shade. Khan is tentative as he looks to block it out but the ball passes between the gate of his bat and pad and crashes into the stumps. Bird is elated and Khan's uncomfortable stay at the crease comes to an end. It's a big, big wicket for the Aussies. Can they trigger a collapse now? |
| 0.0 : Misbah-Ul-Haq is the next man in. |
| 42.2 : J Bird to Misbah, Fullish delivery outside off, driven to the covers to Warner. He has a shy at the non-striker's end but misses. |
| 42.3 : J Bird to Misbah, Bowls a back of a length ball shaping back in. Misbah looks to clip it but is rapped on the thigh pad. Stifled appeal for LBW turned down. |
| 42.4 : J Bird to Misbah, Well bowled! Bowls it fullish outside off, swinging back. Misbah comes forward to defend but gets an outside edge towards the slip region. |
| 42.5 : J Bird to Misbah, Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. |
| 42.6 : J Bird to Misbah, Bird is bowling beautifully! Bowls a short of a length ball outside off, Misbah hops back to defend but gets an edge towards the slip region. A wicket maiden from Bird. |
| 43.1 : N Lyon to Ali, Bowls it shortish around leg stump, Ali closes his bat face early as he looks to work it but gets a leading edge towards the off side. |
| 43.2 : N Lyon to Ali, Goes back in his crease and works it with the spin through backward square leg for a run. |
| 43.3 : N Lyon to Misbah, SIX! WHAT A SHOT! Tosses it outside off, Misbah kneels and slog sweeps it over deep mid-wicket. That made a really cracking sound of the bat! The umpires check whether its' a boundary or maximum and the replays show that it has crossed the ropes. |
| 43.4 : N Lyon to Misbah, Misbah sweeps this one towards square leg but fails to find the gap. |
| 43.5 : N Lyon to Misbah, Shortish outside off, punched through covers for a run. |
| 43.6 : N Lyon to Ali, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 44.1 : J Bird to Ali, Fullish delivery outside off, shaping back in. Ali is tentative as he gets an inside edge onto his pads. Great channel from Bird! |
| 44.2 : J Bird to Ali, Fullish delivery outside off, Ali makes a watchful leave. |
| 44.3 : J Bird to Ali, Overpitched outside off, driven firmly to the man at covers. |
| 44.4 : J Bird to Ali, Bowls a short of a length ball on middle and leg, Azhar looks to tuck it but is rapped on the thigh pad. |
| 44.5 : J Bird to Ali, Comes forward to the fullish delivery and plays it with an angled bat towards point. |
| 44.6 : J Bird to Ali, Fullish delivery attacking the stumps, clipped behind squae leg for a run. |
| 45.1 : N Lyon to Ali, Ali camps back and works it to the leg side with the spin. |
| 45.2 : N Lyon to Ali, Tossed up delivery, Ali comes forward and pushes it back towards the bowler. |
| 45.3 : N Lyon to A Ali, Comes down the track and defends it to towards mid on. |
| 45.4 : N Lyon to Ali, The batsman works it down the leg side. |
| 45.5 : N Lyon to Ali, Shortish delivery, Ali camps back and defends. |
| 45.6 : N Lyon to Ali, Comes forward and blocks it with the spin into the ground. |
| 46.1 : J Bird to Misbah, Short of a length ball angling into Misbah. He rides the bounce and defends it in front of short leg. |
| 46.2 : J Bird to Misbah, FOUR! Streaky runs! Short of a length ball outside off, Misbah camps back and looks to play it with an angled bat gets an outside edge in between slips and gully and the ball races to the third man fence. |
| 46.3 : J Bird to Misbah, Stays back to the similar length delivery and defends it towards cover-point. |
| 46.4 : J Bird to Misbah, Fullish delivery outside off, Misbah comes forward and defends it down the track. |
| Misbah has been caught at short leg by Nic Maddinson. The umpire refers it upstairs to check whether he has been caught cleanly or not. The soft signal is out. |
| 46.5 : Bird to Misbah, OUT! THE SKIPPER DEPARTS! The floodgates have opened! Fullish delivery around off, shaping in a touch. Misbah comes forward half-heartedly and looks to defend it but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads. The ball lobs towards Maddinson at short leg and he bends low to his left to take a sharp reflex catch. The umpires consult with each other and refer it upstairs. The soft signal is out. Has Maddinson taken it cleanly? Time for the replays. They show that Maddinson has t |
| ASAD SHAFIQ walks out to bat. |
| 46.6 : J Bird to Shafiq, In the channel outside off, left alone. |
| 47.1 : N Lyon to Ali, Played to the point region by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 47.2 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Gets right behind this one and defends it. |
| 47.3 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Gets forward and blocks this one. |
| 47.4 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Shafiq comes forward and helps it with the spin to backward square leg. |
| 47.5 : N Lyon to Shafiq, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 47.6 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Quicker one, defended nicely off the back foot to short leg. |
| 48.1 : J Bird to Ali, Length delivery around off, defended off the front foot solidly. |
| 48.2 : J Bird to Ali, Shortish delivery into the stumps, Ali hops back and keeps it down on the track. |
| 48.3 : J Bird to Ali, Camp back to the length delivery and defends it to the off side solidly. |
| 48.4 : J Bird to A Ali, FOUR! LUCKY RUNS! Back of a length around off, Azhar shuffles and goes back to defend it but gets a thick outside edge past the slip cordon and races to the fence. |
| 48.5 : J Bird to Ali, Fullish delivery tailing into the stumps, driven nicely to mid on for nothing. |
| 48.6 : J Bird to Ali, On a length outside off, Azhar leans forward and plays it with an angled blade to the off side. |
| STARC is back into the attack. |
| 49.1 : M Starc to Shafiq, Fullish delivery attacking the stumps, Shafiq puts his head down and defends it down the track calmly. |
| 49.2 : M Starc to Shafiq, Fuller length ball on off, defended solidly off the front foot. |
| 49.3 : M Starc to Shafiq, On a length angling across Shafiq. he points his bat skywards and lets it go. |
| 49.4 : M Starc to Shafiq, Length delivery angling across Asad. he feels for it and is beaten all ends up. Good channel from Starc. |
| 49.5 : M Starc to Shafiq, Camps back to the length delivery on off and defends it to the left of Starc. |
| 49.6 : M Starc to Shafiq, FOUR! SHOT! Bowls a back of a length ball outside off, Shafiq rises with the bounce and upper cuts it over gully. Good shot and he gets a boundary to his name. |
| 50.1 : J Bird to Ali, FOUR! Short of a length outside off, Ali pokes at it but gets a thick outside edge past the slip cordon and the ball races to the fence. Bird has his tail up and is really bending his back. |
| 50.2 : J Bird to Ali, FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries! Too straight and full on this ocassion, Azhar is well balanced as he clips it beautifully through mid-wicket. Timed that really well and the ball whistles to the fence. |
| 50.3 : J Bird to Ali, Fuller length ball tailing in, clipped to mid-wicket. |
| 50.4 : J Bird to Ali, Back of a length ball outside off, left alone. |
| 50.5 : J Bird to Ali, Back of a length ball around off, Ali camps back and tucks it towards mid on. |
| There was a slight drizzle in the air and now it has picked up. The umpires have made a sensible call and have taken an EARLY TEA as the covers are rushed on to the ground. |
| Australia's session again as they have nipped out two huge wickets of Younis and Misbah. The duo never looked comfortable at the crease as Bird and Starc swung the ball around in overcast conditions. The former has been terrific after lunch and he has reaped rewards for bending his back and bowling his heart out. These are testing conditions to bat on and Azhar Ali has been the only one who has battled it out and has played a fighting knock so far. |
| Ali is holding one end up and he will need support from Shafiq, who was the star for Pakistan in the first Test. Can both of them bail the visitors out of trouble or will the Aussies keep on nipping wickets and push them further into a hole? Let's hope the weather clears out and we get to witness some exciting cricket in the final session. |
| ...DAY 1, SESSION 3... |
| UPDATE 1000 IST - The tea break has passed but it is still raining at the MCG. Let's hope the showers stop and we get some play soon. |
| UPDATE 1105 IST - It's still raining at the MCG and chances of having any more play today looks bleak. We will keep you posted with further updates. |
| UPDATE 1118 IST - The inevitable has happened and rain has had its final say as the umpires have DECIDED TO CALL IT A DAY. |
| A sorry end to an opening day of Boxing Day Test. Final session has been completely washed out which means we have lost almost 40 overs, many more events could have happened had the rain not interrupted. The Test is poised perfectly at the moment but the home side slightly has an upper hand as Jackson Bird removed both the veterans Younis Khan and Misbah before the rain gods appeared. However, Azhar Ali has kept hold at one end and is unbeaten on 66. He has Asad Shafiq, the star of the previous |
| Pakistan would be pinning their hopes on the current pair to add as many possible so that they can post a good total on the board on what is an extremely a good batting surface. While the Aussies would be itching to go out and continue from where they left off today, their pacers bowled some tight lines and have reaped dividends for the same. Just a reminder - There will be an early start tomorrow at 0430 IST to cover up for the overs lost today. The forecast for the remaining days isn't pleasi |
| ...DAY 2, SESSION 1... |
| Hello and a warm welcome for Day 2 of the second Test between Australia and Pakistan. We lost almost 40 overs yesterday and let's hope that the weather gods stay merciful and we get the extended allotted quota of overs for today. Australia have begun well and would look to stamp their authority further with the ball. Hazlewood and Bird have bowled brilliant lines and lengths and have reaped the rewards. The latter deserves a special mention as he has continued to put relentless pressure on the P |
| Though it is a pretty good track to bat on, the overcast conditions have made it a stern test for the batsmen. Only Azhar Ali has looked composed in the middle and he would need to play a big one to steer the visitors to safe harbours. On the other hand, the home side would look to keep on nipping away at the wickets and keep them under the lid. Will the tourists put up a brave fight and put up a decent score on the board? Let's see who comes out on top. |
| We are all set to get underway. The umpires and players have made their way out to the middle. AZHAR ALI and ASAD SHAFIQ to continue from where they left off. JACKSON BIRD to finish his pending over. Let's play... |
| 50.6 : J Bird to Ali, On a length outside off, holding its line. Ali makes a watchful leave. |
| HAZLEWOOD to bowl from the other end. |
| 51.1 : J Hazlewood to Shafiq, In the channel outside off, Shafiq points his bat skywards and lets it through. |
| 51.2 : J Hazlewood to Shafiq, Length delivery angling in to Shafiq. He camps back and defends it stoutly. |
| 51.3 : J Hazlewood to Shafiq, Good carry on that one! Fullish delivery outside off, zips through the pitch as Asad lets it go through. |
| 51.4 : J Hazlewood to Shafiq, In the corridor of uncertainty, third leave of the over. |
| 51.5 : J Hazlewood to Shafiq, On a length shaping back into the stump, Asad hangs back and defends it towards mid on. Shane Warne on air mentions, that the Pakistani batsmen haven't kept the scoreboard ticking. They have allowed the Australian bowlers to dictate terms. |
| 51.6 : J Hazlewood to Shafiq, In the channel outside off, Shafiq doesn't flirt with it. A good steady maiden over by Hazlewood. |
| MITCHELL STARC comes into the attack. Three slips, gully and a point in place. |
| 52.1 : M Starc to Ali, Fullish delivery angling across Ali. He doesn't flirt with that one. |
| 52.2 : M Starc to Ali, Fuller length ball outside off, angling away. Ali is drawn into the drive but gets it off the inner half back towards the bowler. |
| 52.3 : M Starc to Ali, Fullish delivery attacking the stumps, Ali puts his head down and defends it nicely. |
| 52.4 : M Starc to Ali, Fullish ball outside off, driven to mid off. |
| 52.5 : M Starc to Ali, FOUR! BEAUTIFUL! Bowls a fuller length ball outside off, Ali leans forward and times his drive beautifully down the ground and the ball whistles away to the fence. That was delightful to watch! |
| 52.6 : M Starc to Ali, Bowls a short one outside off angling across Azhar. He sways away from the line of the delivery. |
| 53.1 : J Hazlewood to Shafiq, On a length on middle, Shafiq tucks it to the leg side. |
| 53.2 : J Hazlewood to Shafiq, Back of a length outside off and hits the deck hard. Shafiq points his bat skywards and allows it through safely. Great carry on that one! |
| 53.3 : J Hazlewood to Shafiq, Short of a length ball outside off, Shafiq hangs back and plays it with an angled blade through gully. Good running between the wicket allows them to come back for three. |
| 53.4 : J Hazlewood to Ali, In the channel outside off, holds its line after pitching. Left alone. |
| 53.5 : J Hazlewood to A Ali, Goes a bit wider of the crease and angles in a fullish delivery, Ali lunges forward and drives it to mid off |
| 53.6 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Tests him with the short ball on middle and leg, angling down. Azhar ducks under the bumper. |
| 54.1 : M Starc to Shafiq, Excellent running between the wickets! Fuller length ball well outside off, Shafiq extends his arms and caresses it through the covers. Warner sprints after it but the batsmen come back for three. |
| 54.2 : M Starc to Ali, A bit straighter on this occasion, Ali drives it nicely through the covers. This time Warner chases it with spring in his stride and keeps it down to a couple. He is a great athlete. Bill Lawry on air reckons, 'The wicket has quickened up this morning. There is good carry.' |
| 54.3 : M Starc to Ali, Shortish delivery into the stumps this time, Azhar tucks it to the man at square leg. |
| 54.4 : M Starc to Ali, Straying on the hips, tucked round the corner for a run. |
| Mid on comes to slip. |
| 54.5 : M Starc to Shafiq, Dug in short outside off, Shafiq arches back and lets it sail through to the keeper. |
| 54.6 : M Starc to Shafiq, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 55.1 : J Hazlewood to Ali, On a length angling into Ali. He hangs back and defends it to short mid-wicket. |
| 55.2 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Fullish delivery just outside off, Ali puts his head down and defends it down the track. |
| 55.3 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Short of a length ball angling into Ali. He moves across and looks to clip it but is struck on the thigh pad. A stifled appeal for LBW was made but the Aussies pulled out of it. It was going down leg. |
| 55.4 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Played to mid-wicket region by the batsman. |
| 55.5 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Fullish delivery outside off, Ali lunges forward and defends it confidently. |
| 55.6 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Fuller length ball attacking the stumps, Ali clips it through mid-wicket and gets a couple to his name. |
| 56.1 : M Starc to Shafiq, Comes around the wicket and hurls in a length delivery outside off, holds its line. Shafiq lets it go. |
| 56.2 : M Starc to Shafiq, Fullish delivery angling in, Asad comes forward and defends it. |
| 56.3 : M Starc to Shafiq, Hurls this one wider outside off, Shafiq doesn't flirt with it. |
| 56.4 : M Starc to Shafiq, Dug in short outside off, angling in. Shafiq arches back and sways away from the line to evade it. |
| 56.5 : M Starc to Shafiq, Bowls a very full ball at 143.8 clicks outside off, Shafiq jams it out down the track. |
| 56.6 : M Starc to Shafiq, Fuller length ball outside off, Asad looks to drive it hard but gets an outside edge that falls in front of the man at cover-point. |
| 57.1 : J Hazlewood to Ali, On a length outside off, holds its line. Asad points his bat skywards and allows it through. |
| 57.2 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Back of a length ball angling in sharply, Azhar is caught in the crease as he looks to tuck it but misses and is struck on the thigh pad. Hazlewood is probing around here. |
| 57.3 : J Hazlewood to Ali, On a length around off, Ali strides forward and defends it back towards the bowler. |
| 57.4 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Bowls a short delivery around leg stump, Azhar ducks under it. |
| 57.5 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Hurls it wide outside off this time, Ali doesn't bother to play at that one. |
| 57.6 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Length delivery outside off, Ali hangs back and defends it towards point. A maiden by Hazlewood. |
| 58.1 : M Starc to Shafiq, Fullish delivery angling in on off, Shafiq comes forward, open his bat face and plays it towards point. |
| 58.2 : M Starc to Shafiq, On a driving length outside off, Shafiq is drawn into a full blooded drive but gets beaten. This is good Test match stuff! |
| 58.3 : M Starc to Shafiq, Invites him to drive again and bowls it outside off, Shafiq resists the temptation and lets it go this time. Starc has a look at him and smiles. Shafiq nods his head and acknowledges the delivery. |
| 58.4 : M Starc to Shafiq, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 58.5 : M Starc to Shafiq, Digs it short around leg stump this time, Shafiq ducks underneath it. |
| 58.6 : M Starc to Shafiq, On a length angling into Asad. Looks to find the gap between his bat and pad but Asad comes forward and defends it. |
| Silly mid on in place now. |
| 59.1 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Camps back to the back of a length ball and plays it to point. |
| 59.2 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Fuller length ball outside off, Ali strides forward and blocks it. |
| 59.3 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Ali covers the line to the length delivery and pushes it to mid off. |
| 59.4 : J Hazlewood to A Ali, Good match awareness! Short of a length ball, Ali hangs back and looks to tuck it but gets an inside edge onto his pads and the ball rolls towards the right side of the pitch. Maddinson comes sprinting in but the batsmen complete the run in a flash. |
| 59.5 : J Hazlewood to Shafiq, In the channel outside off, left alone. |
| 59.6 : J Hazlewood to Shafiq, Fullish delivery angling in, Asad clips it through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 60.1 : M Starc to Shafiq, Length delivery on off, Shafiq defends it towards Maddinson at short leg who makes a good reflex stop. |
| 60.2 : M Starc to Shafiq, Fuller length ball outside off, pushed off the front foot to the covers. |
| 60.3 : M Starc to Shafiq, Length delivery outside off, Azhar taps it with soft hands towards point and scurries through for a brisk single. Excellent running! |
| 60.4 : M Starc to Ali, Short of a length ball attacking the body, Azhar is surprised by it but does well in the end to tuck it round the corner. Single taken! |
| 60.5 : M Starc to Ali, Fuller length ball shaping back in, Azhar comes forward and check drives it down the ground. Gets it past Bird at mid on. Three runs taken! |
| 60.6 : M Starc to Shafiq, Length delivery outside off, Shafiq hangs back and defends it to the off side. |
| 61.1 : J Hazlewood to Ali, On a length on off, Azhar defends it off his back foot to the man at short mid-wicket. Calls a loud no to his non-striker. |
| 61.2 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Length delivery outside off, curls in a shade. Ali stays back and lets it through. Warner is looking to shine one end of the ball. The rain last night is not helping the cause. |
| 61.3 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Slips this one down the leg side, Azhar looks to clip it but misses. |
| 61.4 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Straying on the pads, nudged to fine leg for a single. |
| 61.5 : J Hazlewood to Shafiq, Bowls a bouncer on middle, Ali ducks under it and evades the bumper. |
| 61.6 : J Hazlewood to Shafiq, On a length outside off, Shafiq taps it towards gully for nothing. |
| JACKSON BIRD is into the attack. |
| 62.1 : J Bird to Ali, In the channel outside off, left alone. |
| 62.2 : J Bird to Ali, Shortish delivery wide outside off, Azhar cuts it to Lyon at point. The crowd cheers up for him. He is also warming up. Might be in with a spell soon. |
| 62.3 : J Bird to A Ali, Full length ball outside off, driven firmly to mid off. |
| 62.4 : J Bird to Ali, Similar length ball outside off, Azhar lunges forward confidently and pushes it to Khawaja at short cover. He is looking good for a century. |
| 62.5 : J Bird to Ali, Fullish ball angling in, Ali lunges forward and blocks it down on the track. |
| 62.6 : J Bird to Ali, Length delivery outside off, Azhar hangs back and defends it to the covers. Maiden for Bird to start with! |
| NATHAN LYON to bowl now. Can he strike? |
| 63.1 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Gives it a lot of air outside off, Shafiq drives it towards mid off. |
| 63.2 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Spinning into Asad. He helps it past short leg for a run. |
| 63.3 : N Lyon to Ali, Ali comes forward to the loopy ball and works it with the spin through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 63.4 : N Lyon to A Shafiq, Tossed up around off, driven to mid off. |
| 63.5 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Loopy ball outside off, Shafiq puts his head down and defends it down the track calmly. |
| 63.6 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Fullish ball on the stumps, clipped with the spin through mid-wicket for an easy single. |
| 64.1 : J Bird to Shafiq, On a length around off, Shafiq prods forward and defends it to the off side. |
| 64.2 : J Bird to Shafiq, Good shot! Bowls it fullish outside off, Shafiq leans ahead and creams it through the covers. Lyon sprints after it and puts in a slide at deep cover. Keeps it down to three and the crowd is right behind him. It must be a great feeling to have so many passionate people cheering for you. |
| 64.3 : J Bird to Ali, Bowls a fullish delivery, Ali defends it towards mid-wicket. |
| 64.4 : J Bird to A Ali, Comes forward and pushes it off the front foot to mid on. |
| 64.5 : J Bird to Ali, Fuller length ball angling in, Azhar covers the line and defends it to mid on. |
| 64.6 : J Bird to Ali, On a length on leg stump, Azhar shuffled there and plays it towards square leg. |
| 65.1 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Quicker one spinning into the stumps, defended solidly off the back foot to short leg. |
| 65.2 : N Lyon to Shafiq, That was a very optimistic shout! Shafiq advances down the track and looks to play it with the spin but misses it and is rapped on the pads. It would have been going down leg! |
| 65.3 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Asad clips it with the spin to the leg side for a run. |
| 65.4 : N Lyon to A Ali, Tossed up delivery, pushed to mid on off the front foot. |
| 65.5 : N Lyon to Ali, A bit short this time, Ali wait for it and turns it to short fine leg. Looks for the single but won't get it. |
| 65.6 : N Lyon to Ali, This time he plays it a bit finer to the same region and completes a brisk single this time. |
| 66.1 : J Bird to Ali, Length delivery around off, defended to the leg side. |
| 66.2 : J Bird to Ali, That's a loose shot! Bowls a shortish delivery wide outside off, Azhar slashes at it hard but misses. Perhaps a lapse in concentration. He needs to play a big one for the visitors. |
| 66.3 : J Bird to Ali, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 66.4 : J Bird to Ali, FOUR! Shot of the morning! Bowls a fullish delivery outside off, Ali lunges forward confidently and drives it down the ground. The timing is of the highest quality and the ball races to the fence. Moves to 88. |
| 50-run stand up between Ali and Shafiq. |
| 66.5 : J Bird to Ali, That's a brave leave! Bowls it on a length just outside off, shapes back in a touch. Ali covers his off pole and the ball zips through to the keeper. |
| 66.6 : J Bird to Ali, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 67.1 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Fetches this from around off and sweeps it to fine leg. Single taken! |
| 67.2 : N Lyon to Ali, Fullish delivery on off, defended off the front foot to short mid-wicket. |
| 67.3 : N Lyon to Ali, FOUR! SHOT! Ali kneels down to the loopy delivery and sweeps it hard round the corner. He hit it really well and gets the desired result. Moves into the nineties. He is growing in confidence! |
| 67.4 : N Lyon to Ali, Azhar plays it with the spin to the leg side for a run. |
| 67.5 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Shortish outside off, Shafiq rocks back and punches it through the off side for a run. Good footwork there! |
| 67.6 : N Lyon to Ali, Gives this one plenty of air and bowls it on off, Ali prods forward in defense. |
| 68.1 : J Bird to Shafiq, On a length angling back in. He puts his head down and defends calmly. |
| 68.2 : J Bird to Shafiq, Short of a length wide outside off, Shafiq slashes at it hard. Perhaps a risk free shot as he gave it his all. |
| 68.3 : J Bird to Shafiq, Fuller length ball this time, pushed off the front foot to mid on. |
| Australia have taken a review against Asad Shafiq. It is for a caught behind appeal. |
| 68.4 : J Bird to Shafiq, WASTE OF A REVIEW! On a length and angling back sharply. Shafiq is tentative in his foot work as he looks to block it but seems to have missed it as the ball brushes something and carries through to Wade. There is a loud appeal for a catch but the umpire shakes his head. Wade is not sure and so is Smith but he opts to take the review. The replays show that it brushed the thigh pad. The snicko also doesn't spot any edge there. The on-field call stays! |
| 68.5 : J Bird to Shafiq, On a length outside off, Shafiq is again caught in his crease as he inside edges it onto his pads. Good back to back deliveries from Bird. |
| 68.6 : Bird to Shafiq, A BIT OF A BLIP BY THE TV UMPIRE! Bowls a fullish ball that tails back in, Shafiq comes forward and drives it towards Bird who manages to get a hand on it. Deflects it towards the non-striker's stumps and hits it. Azhar Ali dived in to get back. Is he in? The run out appeal is referred upstairs. Ali did brilliantly there to dive back into his crease. Ooh. wait! The TV umpire has ruled it OUT on the big screen by mistake. The crowd bursts into a loud cheer but it is quickly |
| Time for Drinks. |
| 69.1 : N Lyon to Ali, Around off, turning in, flicked off the back foot towards short mid-wicket. |
| 69.2 : N Lyon to Ali, Loopy ball around middle and leg, flicked past short leg. |
| 69.3 : N Lyon to A Ali, Full and around off, Ali comes forward and drives it towards deep mid on for a single. |
| 69.4 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Comes down the track and flicks it towards short mid-wicket. |
| 69.5 : N Lyon to A Shafiq, Tossed up around off, Shafiq makes a good stride forward and drives it towards mid off. |
| 69.6 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Tossed up on the stumps, Shafiq looks to defend but gets it off the inner part of the bat towards short leg. |
| 70.1 : J Bird to Ali, Good length ball on off, defended off the back foot. |
| 70.2 : J Bird to Ali, Ali stays behind the line and shows a straight bat. |
| 70.3 : J Bird to Ali, Good stop, Khawaja! Fuller in length and around off, Azhar gets forward and looks to drive it through covers. Khawaja stationed there dives full length to his left to stop some runs for his side. |
| 70.4 : J Bird to Ali, Good length ball, angling in, defended back to Bird. |
| 70.5 : J Bird to Ali, Very full and outside off, Ali somehow manages to dig it out down the track. |
| 70.6 : J Bird to Ali, Angles away on a length outside off, Ali drops his wrists and lets it go. |
| 71.1 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Flatter and short around middle and leg, flicked through square leg by Shafiq. He wanted another one as well but Ali is happy with one. |
| 71.2 : N Lyon to Ali, Worked behind square on the leg side for a single. |
| 71.3 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Short and outside off, Shafiq camps back and punches it through the gap at covers. Bird does well in the deep to keep them down to three. |
| 71.4 : N Lyon to Ali, Ali shuffles a bit and tucks it towards fine leg for a single. |
| 71.5 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Tosses it up around off, Shafiq presses forward in defense. |
| 71.6 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Loopy around middle and leg, Asad comes down the track and works it straight to the man at short mid-wicket. The fielder returns a throw at the striker's end and it hits but Shafiq's bat was grounded. |
| 72.1 : J Bird to Ali, Back of a length ball outside off, Ali hops across and tucks it towards mid-wicket. |
| 0.0 : Just at the start of the over, umpire S Ravi went towards the square leg umpire, Ian Gould, to have a word as it was drizzling. And now it is enough to ask the players to leave the field. The groundsmen rush in to cover the square. It isn't much at the moment and let's hope we get back in quickly... |
| Hurrah! We are back, folks! The drizzle has stopped and the covers come off. The players and the umpires are back in the middle. Ali will take strike and Bird will continue his over. Here we go... |
| 72.2 : J Bird to Ali, Fuller and tailing back in, Ali presses forward and pushes it with soft hands towards mid on. |
| 72.3 : J Bird to Ali, Length ball on the hips, AA tucks it behind square on the leg side to get off the strike. |
| 72.4 : J Bird to Shafiq, Back of a length delivery in the channel outside off, Shafiq stays tall and taps it towards the off side. |
| Shafiq calls for an arm-guard... |
| 72.5 : J Bird to A Shafiq, Fuller and pretty much outside off, Asad drives it straight to mid off. |
| 72.6 : J Bird to A Shafiq, Bird once again pitches it up on the stumps, Shafiq looks to drive but is not off the middle of the bat and it rolls towards mid on. |
| Surprise! Surprise! Captain STEVEN SMITH wants to have a go with the cherry now. Can he get a breakthrough? |
| 73.1 : S Smith to Ali, Short and around off, punched off the back foot towards covers. |
| 73.2 : S Smith to Ali, A loopy full toss around middle, flicked towards square leg for a single. |
| 73.3 : S Smith to Shafiq, Flatter and shorter in length, Shafiq pulls it towards mid-wicket for a single. |
| 73.4 : S Smith to Ali, Floats it up around off, Ali makes a good stride forward, brings his bat and pad together to defend it down. |
| 73.5 : S Smith to Ali, Full and going down leg, Ali clips it towards the leg side for a single. Moves to 99! |
| 73.6 : S Smith to Shafiq, Around middle and leg, nudged straight to the fielder at short mid-wicket. |
| Now we have another change. NIC MADDINSON into the attack now. |
| 74.1 : Nic Maddinson to Ali, Quicker through the air around off, Ali stays back and defends it off the back foot. |
| 74.2 : Nic Maddinson to Ali, Loopy ball around off, Ali drives it past extra cover but he sees Warner coming from mid off and shouts NO. |
| 74.3 : Nic Maddinson to Ali, AZHAR ALI GETS TO HIS TON! Such an impressive knock by this man. He played the patience game and then attacked when it was needed. Leaps a bit in the air, removes the helmet and has his hands aloft. The entire Pakistan team in the dressing room lauds the effort. Coming to the ball, around middle and leg, it's worked towards fine leg for a couple. |
| 12th Test ton for Azhar Ali, 3rd vs Australia! |
| 74.4 : Nic Maddinson to A Ali, Full around off, driven through covers for a single. |
| 74.5 : Nic Maddinson to Shafiq, AS has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 74.6 : Nic Maddinson to Shafiq, Fuller outside off, driven towards mid off. |
| 75.1 : S Smith to Ali, Full on the pads, flicked towards backward square leg for a single. |
| 75.2 : S Smith to Shafiq, Fuller around middle, Shafiq jams it back to the bowler. |
| 75.3 : S Smith to Shafiq, Shafiq presses forward and defends it down. |
| 75.4 : S Smith to Shafiq, Drops it short, a customary delivery by every leg spinner. Shafiq camps back and pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 75.5 : S Smith to Ali, That's a ripper shouts an excited Bill Lawry on air. Smith pushes it quicker through the air and it zips in a touch, Ali does well to defend it down. |
| 75.6 : S Smith to Ali, The batsman plays a sweep shot. One run added to the total. |
| 76.1 : Nic Maddinson to Ali, Flicked through the on side for a single. |
| 76.2 : Nic Maddinson to Shafiq, Tossed up around off, Shafiq makes a bit of room to drive it through the off side but gets an inside edge past the stumps towards fine leg for a single. |
| 76.3 : Nic Maddinson to Ali, Tossed up around off, driven straight to covers. |
| 76.4 : Nic Maddinson to Ali, Shortish in length, punched towards mid on for one. |
| 76.5 : Nic Maddinson to Shafiq, Short and outside off, AS gets back and punches it towards cover-point for a single. |
| 76.6 : Nic Maddinson to Ali, FOUR! Easy pickings! No one in the deep and Maddinson bowls a half-tracker and was asking for trouble. Ali camps back and pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 77.1 : S Smith to Shafiq, Shafiq taps this delivery towards covers and scurries across for a quick single. |
| 77.2 : S Smith to Ali, Full around off, eased down to long off for one. |
| 77.3 : S Smith to Shafiq, Gets forward and pushes it past the Aussie skipper for a single. |
| 77.4 : S Smith to Ali, Nicely floated around off, Ali defends it off the front foot. |
| 77.5 : S Smith to Ali, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 77.6 : S Smith to Ali, Flighted ball around middle and off, tucked towards short mid-wicket. |
| 78.1 : Nic Maddinson to Shafiq, Full and angling in, defended by making a good stride forward. |
| 78.2 : Nic Maddinson to Shafiq, An arm ball from around off, Shafiq hangs back in defense. |
| 78.3 : Nic Maddinson to Shafiq, Shortish in length and around off, Asad defends it off the back foot. |
| 78.4 : Nic Maddinson to Shafiq, FOUR! You can't bowl him short, he will make you pay all day and night! Another long hop from Maddinson and he sees it getting pulled in front of square for a boundary all the way. |
| 78.5 : Nic Maddinson to Shafiq, Prods forward and keeps it out on the off side. |
| 78.6 : Nic Maddinson to Shafiq, Short and turning away, Shafiq gets back and cuts it wide of the fielder at backward point. Running is not an issue and they get three more. |
| NATHON LYON back into the attack. |
| The ball has been swapped as it got wet. |
| 79.1 : N Lyon to Shafiq, FOUR! It's a ripper, it's a four! Lyon bowls a loopy ball outside off, Shafiq gets down and fetches it from outside off to sweep it through mid-wicket for a boundary. The fielder tries to stop it with a dive but fails to do so. |
| 79.2 : N Lyon to Shafiq, FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries! Lyon is taken for runs here. Tossed up outside off, it's a bit short from around the wicket. Shafiq camps back and thwacks the punch through covers for another boundary. |
| 100-run stand between Shafiq and Ali! |
| 79.3 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Full and around off, blocked. |
| 79.4 : N Lyon to Shafiq, AS has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 79.5 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Around off, turning in, Shafiq keeps it out with a solid defense. |
| 79.6 : N Lyon to Shafiq, Charge, oops straight to the man at mid off but. |
| JACKSON BIRD comes back for a bowl. The new ball is due now but it's still not been taken. The reviews are refreshed now. |
| 80.1 : J Bird to Ali, Fuller in length and angling in, defended off the front foot. |
| 80.2 : J Bird to Ali, In the channel outside off, Ali leaves it alone. |
| 80.3 : J Bird to Ali, Angles in a length ball on middle and leg, flicked towards fine leg for a single. |
| 80.4 : J Bird to Shafiq, Gets right behind the line of the ball and defends. |
| 80.5 : J Bird to Shafiq, Keeps it full and comes back in a shade, Shafiq presses forward and blocks it down the track. |
| 80.6 : J Bird to Shafiq, Lovely! Fuller and angling in on the pads, Shafiq gets across and flicks it past Starc at mid on. He goes for the chase but couldn't prevent three. |
| Both the umpires have a chat between themselves and ask the players to head to their dressing rooms. Lunch is still 10 minutes away but since it has gone gloomy out there the umpires have called for AN EARLY LUNCH! The covers are hauled in too... |
| A session which is completely bagged by Pakistan! They have seen off the session unscathed under the overcast conditions and that is some thing to take confidence from. The highlight of the session was Azhar Ali who has dug himself in well out there and in the process has also registered a much-deserved ton. Asad Shafiq at the other end has given ample support to the centurion and has shown the Aussies he is a force to be reckoned with. |
| The Australians have had a tough outing this morning. They tried everything they could, Smith made as many bowling changes and to add to it he brought himself into the attack as well but it was to no avail. The Pakistan batsmen have dealt with the pace attack nicely and have scored runs at will too. There are chances of rain as it is pretty dark out there which is why Smith didn't take the second new ball as he had fear of it getting wet. We had a mini-halt in play in the first session and let' |
| ...DAY 2, SESSION 2... |
| UPDATE 0735 IST - There will be an inspection at 0745 IST. We should have started the second session by now but the covers are still on. There is a bit of drizzle still around, hope the weather clears out soon. Stay tuned for further updates. |
| UPDATE 0745 IST - More covers are coming on. The inspection which was supposed to happen hasn't. Looks like there will be further delay due to the drizzle. Stay tuned for further updates. |
| UPDATE 0810 IST - Some good news as the big cover is off. The one on the pitch still remains, though. There will be another inspection at 0820 IST. |
| UPDATE 0820 IST - Just minutes before the inspection, the rain increased a little and that has made the groundsmen bring the covers back on. The waiting game continues... |
| UPDATE 0915 IST - Still gloomy scenes from the MCG and the drizzle has settled into a steady mode. Covers are being put on the bowler's run up area as well. In a while, we will get news whether early tea would be taken or not. It has been a frustrating day for the cricketing fans so far. Let's hope we got some positive news soon. |
| UPDATE 0930 IST - The word is that the next inspection will take place at 0940 IST, 1510 local time. That time is also the time when tea is scheduled to be taken. Let's hope for better news this time 'round. |
| UPDATE 0945 IST - News is coming in that Tea has been taken. Play is set to resume at 1000 IST if there is no further rain interruption. Final 3 hour session is coming up. |
| Welcome back for the final session after a long rain delay. The players and the umpires come out in the middle. AZHAR ALI and ASAD SHAFIQ will continue their innings. Will they continue to frustrate the Aussies and soldier on or will the home side bounce back hard? NEW BALL HAS ALSO BEEN TAKEN and JOSH HAZLEWOOD willl bowl first up. Here we go... |
| 81.1 : J Hazlewood to Shafiq, WELL BOWLED! Back of a length outside off, shapes away late after pitching. Shafiq is in two minds and looks to play at it initially but withdraws his bat at the last moment. |
| 81.2 : J Hazlewood to Shafiq, Fullish delivery wide outside off, Shafiq doesn't flirt with that one. |
| 81.3 : J Hazlewood to Shafiq, That one swung away appreciably! It was on a driving length outside off luring Asad into the drive but he resisted the temptation. |
| 81.4 : J Hazlewood to Shafiq, On a length shaping back in. Shafiq camps back and defends it to the off side. |
| 81.5 : J Hazlewood to Shafiq, In the corridor of uncertainty, curving away after pitching as Asad watches it closely and lets it go through to the keeper. |
| 81.6 : J Hazlewood to Shafiq, Fullish delivery outside off, swinging away. Shafiq points his bat skywards and lets it through. 8th maiden over for Hazlewood. |
| MITCHELL STARC to bowl from the other end. |
| 82.1 : M Starc to Ali, ALI WAS IN A TANGLE THERE! Bowls it on a length on leg stump, Ali looks to tuck it but closes his bat face early and the ball catches him high on the bat. Lobs safely towards the short mid-wicket region. |
| 82.2 : M Starc to Ali, Dug in short outside off, Azhar sways away from the line of the delivery. |
| 82.3 : M Starc to Ali, Fullish delivery outside off angling away. Driven nicely to mid off. |
| 82.4 : M Starc to Ali, WELL BOWLED! Hurls it on a channel outside off, zips through the pitch after landing. Ali covers his off pole and lets it through. |
| 82.5 : M Starc to Ali, BRILLIANT EFFORT BY WADE! Searches for a yorker but ends up a bowling a low full toss well outside off, Ali looks to jam it out but gets an under edge towards the left of Wade. He moves briskly and leaps athletically in the air to make a goal keeper like save. |
| 82.6 : M Starc to Ali, In the channel outside off, left alone. Second maiden in a trot. |
| 83.1 : J Hazlewood to Shafiq, In the channel outside off, left alone. |
| 83.2 : J Hazlewood to Shafiq, On a length shaping in, Shafiq camps back and plays it with an angled blade to point. |
| 83.3 : J Hazlewood to Shafiq, THAT'S A PEACH! Angles in a length delivery from wider of the crease, Shafiq is squared up a bit and looks to defend it but is beaten by the sharp away movement. Perfect line and length to bowl on this track. |
| 83.4 : J Hazlewood to Shafiq, Wider outside off this time, Shafiq makes an easy leave. |
| 83.5 : J Hazlewood to Shafiq, Gets his radar wrong this time as he hurls it wide outside off, Shafiq is not bothered to play at that one. |
| 83.6 : J Hazlewood to Shafiq, On a length attacking the stumps, Asad defends it off the inner half towards the covers. A good start with the new ball for the Aussies. |
| 84.1 : M Starc to Ali, Hurls in a length ball and angles it away at 145 clicks from Ali. He lets it go through. |
| 84.2 : M Starc to Ali, He is maintaining a consistent channel outside off and Ali continues with his circumspect approach as he leaves this one. |
| 84.3 : M Starc to A Ali, RUN OUT CHANCE MISSED! Bowls a length delivery around off, Azhar taps it towards covers and sets off for a run. Lyon sprints in from point, cuts off the angle and gets to it in a flash. Picks it up and hurls in a throw at the non-striker's end but misses. Azhar was diving to get back in and looked like he would been a goner. The replays confirm that he was a mile out. |
| 84.4 : M Starc to Shafiq, FOUR LEG BYES! Straying on the hips, Shafiq looks to clip it but misses and the ball brushes his thigh pad and runs to the fine leg fence. Four leg byes signaled by the umpire. |
| 84.5 : M Starc to Shafiq, The batsman works it down the leg side. One run added to the total. The scoreboard is moving now. |
| The umpires refer a caught behind appeal upstairs. Is it a bump ball or has Wade taken it cleanly? The soft signal is not out. |
| 84.6 : M Starc to Ali, NOT OUT! Bowls a full length ball wide outside off, Ali looks to jam it out but seems to have nicked it and Wade moves to his right and dives full length to grab it. There is a loud appeal for a caught behind from the Aussies but the umpires are not sure. They decide to refer it upstairs. Has Wade taken it cleanly? The hotspot confirms that it is off the bat but the replays are inconclusive whether Wade has taken the catch cleanly or not. Seems that the ball has kissed the |
| 85.1 : J Hazlewood to Shafiq, Slips this one down the leg side, Shafiq looks to clip it but misses. |
| 85.2 : J Hazlewood to Shafiq, In the channel outside off, left alone. |
| 85.3 : J Hazlewood to Shafiq, Another left alone outside off. |
| 85.4 : Hazlewood to Shafiq, A LOUD SHOUT FOR LBW TURNED DOWN! Bowls a fullish delivery tailing in and attacking the stumps, Shafiq looks to flick it but plays down the wrong line and is rapped low on the pads. The umpire shakes his head and turns down the LBW appeal. Smith thinks about the review but does not take it. The replays show that it would have probably gone down the leg side. |
| 85.5 : J Hazlewood to Shafiq, Outside off, Shafiq lets it go. |
| 85.6 : J Hazlewood to Shafiq, SHAFIQ SURVIVES AGAIN! Bowls a fullish delivery shaping back in on middle and leg, Shafiq falls over a bit and looks to play across the line but is rapped flush on the front pad. Another huge roar from the Aussies for a LBW but the umpire stays unmoved. Smith consults with Wade and Hazlewood and thinks about the review but doesn't take it. Good decision not to review it as the replays show that was going down leg. |
| 86.1 : M Starc to A Ali, Short of a length ball angling away, Ali plays it with an angled blade to gully. |
| 86.2 : M Starc to Ali, The batsman has played it to the point region |
| 86.3 : M Starc to Ali, Angles it in the channel across Ali. Left alone! |
| 86.4 : M Starc to Ali, Hurls this one wide outside off, Ali doesn't flirt with it. |
| 86.5 : M Starc to Ali, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 86.6 : M Starc to Ali, Yorker length ball on the stumps, dug out nicely towards mid off. |
| JACKSON BIRD is back on. |
| 87.1 : J Bird to Shafiq, Straying on the hips, Shafiq glances it down to fine leg for a single. It has been a well constructed knock and he needs to carry on. |
| 0.0 : 18th Test Fifty up for Asad Shafiq. |
| 87.2 : J Bird to Ali, Back of a length ball on middle and off, Ali tucks it behind square on the leg side for a run. |
| 87.3 : J Bird to Shafiq, On a length angling across Asad. He strides forward and pushes it to the off side. |
| 87.4 : J Bird to Shafiq, Fuller length ball outside off, shaping away. Shafiq lets it go. |
| 87.5 : J Bird to Shafiq, BRAVE LEAVE! Hurls this one closer to the off pole as Shafiq comes forward and lets it go through. |
| 87.6 : J Bird to A Shafiq, OUT! BIRD GETS HIS THIRD! Removes him with a ripper! Bowls a back of a length delivery around off, moves away a shade after pitching. Asad has no choice but to go for a block and ends up getting a thick outside edge that flies at a fast pace towards Smith. It comes off at a comfortable height to the Aussie skipper and he pouches it safely at second slip. Shafiq departs just after reaching his fifty. The hosts have bowled well with the new ball and troubled the batsmen |
| SARFRAZ AHMED walks in next. |
| 88.1 : M Starc to A Ali, FIVE WIDES! That's a wayward delivery as it's dug in too short outside off, Wade leaps high in the air but to no avail and races to the fence. Five wides signaled by the umpire. |
| M Starc to Ali, Fullish delivery outside off, pushed off the front foot to the off side. |
| 88.2 : M Starc to Ali, FOUR! DELIGHTFUL! Bowls a fuller length ball around off, Ali prods forward and drives it elegantly down the ground and the ball whistles away to the fence. Great timing on that one! |
| 88.3 : M Starc to Ali, Fullish delivery outside off, driven with an open face to the off side. |
| 88.4 : M Starc to Ali, Stays back to the length delivery and defends it to the off side. |
| 88.5 : M Starc to Ali, In the channel outside off, left alone. |
| 88.6 : M Starc to Ali, Camps back and plays it with an angled blade to point. |
| 89.1 : J Bird to Ahmed, BEAUTIFULLY BOWLED! Bowls it back of a length outside off, Ahmed comes down the track and looks to block it but is beaten by the away movement. |
| 89.2 : J Bird to Ahmed, Short of a length on the stumps, Ahmed looks to tuck it but is rapped on the thigh pad. The ball rolls to the leg side as the batsmen cross over. Leg bye signaled by the umpire! |
| 89.3 : J Bird to Ali, Back of a length delivery rising up on Ali. He rises with the bounce and defends it nicely. |
| 89.4 : J Bird to Ali, The batsman works it down the leg side. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 89.5 : J Bird to Ahmed, Shortish delivery wide outside off, Sarfraz camps back and punches it towards Lyon at point. He dives to his right to stop the ball but misfields a bit. Couple taken! |
| 89.6 : J Bird to Ahmed, Fullish delivery and it's straying on the pads, nudged round the corner for a run. |
| 90.1 : M Starc to Ahmed, Bowls a short of a length delivery at 144.3 clicks and it's slanting across Ahmed. He hangs his bat out tentatively but is beaten all ends up. |
| 90.2 : M Starc to Ahmed, Fullish delivery on leg stump, clipped nicely through widish mid on for a run. |
| 90.3 : M Starc to Ali, Slips the length delivery down the leg side, Sarfraz fails to work it around. |
| 90.4 : M Starc to Ali, Fullish delivery attacking the stumps, driven nicely to Starc who stops it on his follow through. |
| 90.5 : M Starc to Ali, SUPERB EFFORT BY WADE! Bowls a very short delivery on middle and leg, Ali ducks underneath it comfortably and Wade has to leap high in the air like a goal keeper to stop it. He does that to perfection! |
| 90.6 : M Starc to Ali, Fuller length ball around off, Ali comes forward and defends it to the off side. |
| 91.1 : J Bird to Ahmed, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 91.2 : J Bird to Ahmed, Fullish delivery outside off, Ahmed lets it through. |
| 91.3 : J Bird to Ahmed, Sees him coming down the track and bowls a short delivery but it's going down leg as Sarfraz ducks and evades it. |
| 91.4 : J Bird to Ahmed, On a length outside of, holding it's line. Ahmed lets it go. |
| 91.5 : J Bird to Ahmed, FOUR! STREAKY RUNS! Short of a length ball outside off, Sarfraz hangs back and plays at it but gets a thick outside edge that flies in between the slips and gully and races to the third man fence. |
| 91.6 : J Bird to Ahmed, On a length around off, played to point by Ahmed. |
| JOSH HAZLEWOOD comes back to bowl. |
| 92.1 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Fuller length ball on the stumps, it's flicked to the square leg region for nothing. |
| 92.2 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Another delivery which is fullish in length, around off, blocked off the front foot and into the track. |
| 92.3 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Hazlewood fires this one right up there, around off, Azhar Ali pushes it to the cover region for a couple of runs. |
| 92.4 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Good length delivery outside off, Azhar has nothing to do with that one. |
| 92.5 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Extremely full and attacking the stumps, driven to the mid on region. No run taken though. |
| 92.6 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Some decent carry on that as Josh Hazlewood pitches this on an excellent length outside off, AA covers the line well and makes a rather watchful leave to end the over. |
| 93.1 : J Bird to Ahmed, Sarfraz walks down the track and taps the length delivery to point for a quick single. Good batting by Sarfraz. |
| 93.2 : J Bird to Ali, FOUR! LOVELY SHOT! Overpitched around off, Azhar strides forward confidently and drives it down the ground. The timing is delightful on that stroke and the ball races to the long on fence. |
| 93.3 : J Bird to Ali, Back of a length ball angling in, Ali closes his bat face early as he looks to tuck it but gets a leading edge that falls safely to the covers. Single taken! |
| 93.4 : J Bird to Ahmed, Hurls this one wide outside off, Ahmed doesn't flirt with it. |
| 93.5 : J Bird to Ahmed, Straying on the pads, worked round the corner for a run. |
| 93.6 : J Bird to Ali, Fullish delivery outside off, Ali comes forward and pushes it with soft hands to Warner at mid off. |
| Time for Drinks. The Australians have made the new ball talk and swung it around appreciably. The Pakistani batsmen have looked tentative at the crease. This is the last recognized pair for the away side and they would hope that they string in a big partnership. Can the Aussies nip away two or three more wickets before stumps today or will the visitors go on to post a reasonable total on the board? |
| 94.1 : J Hazlewood to Ahmed, Fuller length ball on off, driven to mid off. |
| 94.2 : J Hazlewood to Ahmed, On a length angling back in. Ahmed shuffles across his off pole and defends it towards mid on. |
| 94.3 : J Hazlewood to Ahmed, RASH SHOT BY AHMED! Bowls it on a length wide outside off, Ahmed bends low and goes for an ambitious drive on the up but gets beaten. |
| 94.4 : J Hazlewood to Ahmed, The batsman has played it towards mid-wicket. |
| 94.5 : J Hazlewood to S Ahmed, OUT! GREAT COMEBACK BY AUSTRALIA! Sticks to his line and length in the corridor of uncertainty, Ahmed comes forward tentatively and pokes at it but gets a thick outside edge that flies towards Renshaw at first slip. He moves nicely to his right, crouches and takes a good low catch. Ahmed's short stay at the crease comes to an end. Can the Aussies bowl the visitors out under 300? |
| MOHAMMAD AMIR comes to bat. |
| 94.6 : J Hazlewood to Amir, Fullish delivery, driven to mid off. |
| 95.1 : J Bird to Ali, In the channel outside off, left alone. |
| 95.2 : J Bird to Ali, Short of a length ball, curving away. Ali shoulders his arms to let that through. |
| 95.3 : J Bird to Ali, Fuller length ball around off, driven to mid off. |
| 95.4 : J Bird to Ali, Leg bye! On a length angling into Ali. He looks to clip it but is rapped on the thigh pad. The ball rolls to the leg side and the batsmen take a leg bye. |
| 95.5 : J Bird to Amir, Angles across a length delivery from Amir. He comes forward and leaves it alone. |
| 95.6 : J Bird to Amir, Straying on the pads, Amir nudges it round the corner to get off the mark! |
| 96.1 : J Hazlewood to Amir, Fullish delivery on the stumps, Amir plants his front foot forward and defends it towards mid on. |
| 96.2 : J Hazlewood to Amir, Short of a length delivery around off, guided to gully. |
| 96.3 : J Hazlewood to Amir, On a length outside off, Mohammad points his bat skywards and leaves it alone. |
| 96.4 : J Hazlewood to Amir, FOUR! LOOSE SHOT! Bowls it a little bit wide and short of a length outside off, Amir slashes at it hard but gets a thick outside edge that flies over Khawaja at second slip and runs through to the third man fence. Khawaja indicates to his teammates that he didn't pick it up. |
| 96.5 : J Hazlewood to Amir, On a length around off, Amir taps it towards covers and scurries through for a quick single. The running between the wickets has been really good today. |
| 96.6 : J Hazlewood to Ali, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| STARC is back on for a bowl. |
| 97.1 : M Starc to Amir, FOUR! GOOD SHOT! Bowls a fullish delivery on the stumps, Amir prods forward and drives it through mid off and gets a second boundary to his name. |
| 97.2 : M Starc to Amir, Slips this one on a length and down the leg side, Amir looks to clip it but misses and Wade pouches it safely. There is an appeal for a caught behind but the umpire is unmoved. Ooh.. wait! however, the hotspot shows there was a bit of a nick on that one. Amir survives! |
| 97.3 : M Starc to Amir, FOUR! AMIR IS LUCKY AGAIN! Bowls a shortish delivery wide outside off, Amir slashes at it and gets an outside edge. Beats Khawaja in the slip region and also eludes the diving man at fly slip and races to third man fence. |
| 97.4 : M Starc to Amir, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 97.5 : M Starc to Amir, FOUR! Bowls a short of a length ball and it's going down leg, Mohammad gets a tickle on it and the ball rolls across to the fine leg fence. Moves to 18 off 13 deliveries! Handy runs for Pakistan. |
| 97.6 : M Starc to Amir, Fullish delivery, Amir drives it towards Starc who stops it on his follow through. |
| 98.1 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Dug in short outside off, Ali sways away from the line of the delivery to evade it. |
| 98.2 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. One run added to the total. |
| 98.3 : J Hazlewood to M Amir, On a length on off, Amir mistimes his drive towards covers and gets a single. |
| 98.4 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Back of a length outside off, punched to the covers. |
| 98.5 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Fullish delivery outside off, Azhar comes forward and defends it to gully. |
| 98.6 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Short of a length directed at the body, Ali shuffles and tucks it towards square leg. A brisk single taken! |
| 99.1 : M Starc to Ali, FOUR! BEAUTIFUL! Fractionally overpitched outside off, Azhar strides forward and plays a punchy drive down the ground. Didn't hit that hard but just timed it beautifully! Gets the desired result. |
| 99.2 : M Starc to Ali, Very full and well outside off, dug out to the off side by Ali. There was a massive gap between his bat and body there. |
| 99.3 : M Starc to Amir, WELL DIRECTED SHORT DELIVERY! Comes around the wicket and angles in a shortish delivery, Amir hops back and fends at it. The ball brushes his gloves and falls in front of the slip region. |
| 99.4 : M Starc to Amir, On a length on the stumps, defended solidly off the back foot. |
| 99.5 : M Starc to Ali, Comes back over the wicket to Ali and hurls in a fuller length ball outside off, Ali leans forward and creams it through the covers. Good running between the wickets to come back for a couple. |
| 99.6 : M Starc to Ali, Short of a length ball on off, Ali hops back uncomfortably and fends it to the leg side. |
| JACKSON BIRD to bowl now. |
| 100.1 : J Bird to M Amir, FOUR! CRUNCHED! Amir is racing along! Bowls a full length ball wide outside off, Mohammad comes forward and drives it on the up through the covers. The fielder sprints after it and slows down near the fence but has enough legs to cross the boundary in the end. |
| 100.2 : J Bird to Amir, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 100.3 : J Bird to Amir, Back of a length around middle and leg, Amir rises with the bounce and defends it solidly. |
| 100.4 : J Bird to Amir, FOUR! FRUSTRATION FOR AUSTRALIA! It has been all aggression from Amir and he gets his sixth boundary. Bowls a back of a length ball outside off, Amir slashes at it hard but gets a thick outside edge. The ball flies over Khawaja's head at second slip and races to the fence. Smith is not pleased at all. |
| 100.5 : J Bird to Amir, WELL BOWLED! Bowls a slower one well outside off, Amir throws the kitchen skin at it but gets beaten. |
| 100.6 : J Bird to Amir, Fullish on the stumps, driven to mid on. |
| 101.1 : M Starc to Ali, Digs this one short and angles it across Ali. He arches back and sways away from the line of the delivery. |
| 101.2 : M Starc to Ali, FOUR! ALI IN COMPLETE CONTROL! Shortish delivery wide outside off, Azhar rises with the bounce and places it between backward point and gully to perfection. He bisected the field to perfection as the ball races across the turf to the fence. |
| Oh sigh! Here comes the drizzle again and Ian Gould calls for the covers to come back on. The players walk off the field slowly. It has been a start-stop day and continues to remain so. The groundsmen are covering the pitch and the surrounding area completely. Let's hope the weather clears out soon. |
| UPDATE 1215 IST - It continues to rain and the umpires have decided to call it a day. Only 50.3 overs were roped in on this start-stop kind of day! Stumps on Day 2! |
| Good day for Pakistan as they have scored 168 runs and lost only two wickets. Azhar Ali has been rock solid and has batted with grit and determination. He is unbeaten on 139 and looks hungry for more. The second new ball did the trick for the home side as the seamers utilized the overcast conditions smartly. Bird was again the pick of the bowlers as he bowled terrific lines and lengths and kept the batsmen on their toes. He broke the crucial 115-run stand between Ali and Shafiq. Hazlewood played |
| After the tourists lost Sarfraz rather quickly, Amir came in and made his intentions clear from the start. He threw caution to the wind and played a breezy knock. He has pushed the bowlers on the back foot with his aggressive approach. The visitors are poised nicely at the moment at 310/6 and with rain forecast for the remainder of the Test, it will be interesting to see for how long Pakistan bat. On the other hand, the Aussies would look to nip out Ali quickly tomorrow morning and clean the tai |
| Let's hope the weather clears out tomorrow and we get in a full day's play or this Test could be heading towards a draw. There will be another half an hour early start tomorrow at 0430 IST to rope in the extra overs. We hope you enjoyed our coverage today. Till then, goodbye and take care! |
| ...DAY 3, SESSION 1... |
| Hello and a warm welcome for Day 3 of the second Test between Australia and Pakistan. The weather has been dodgy so far with only over 100 overs bowled in two days and to add to the misery, it is drizzling at the moment at the MCG. The entire square has been covered up and the waiting game begins early in the morning. The early start that was scheduled to be at 0430 IST won't be possible. Let's hope we get some positive news soon and the weather clears out. Stay tuned as we will keep you posted. |
| UPDATE 0430 IST - Good news, folks! The rain has stopped at the moment but there will be a bit of delay as the conditions will be assessed. Let's see when the covers are taken off. |
| UPDATE 0440 IST - Great news! The covers are coming off and the word is that if there is no further interruption from the rain, play will start at 0505 IST. |
| We are ready to start the first session. Let's hope we don't have any further rain delays today. AZHAR ALI will take strike and MOHAMMAD AMIR is at the non-striker's end. MITCHELL STARC to continue his over. Here we go... |
| 101.3 : M Starc to Ali, Fullish delivery on middle and off, Ali shuffles a touch and defends it to short mid-wicket. |
| 101.4 : M Starc to Ali, Fullish and straying on the pads, clipped nicely to fine leg. First runs of the day! |
| 101.5 : M Starc to Amir, Comes around the wicket and angles across a short delivery from Amir. He sways away from the line of the delivery. |
| 101.6 : M Starc to Amir, It's shortish and going down leg, Amir looks to tuck it but misses. |
| JOSH HAZLEWOOD to bowl from the other end. |
| 102.1 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Fullish delivery well outside off drawing Azhar into the drive but he gets beaten. Good line and length to bowl this! |
| 102.2 : J Hazlewood to A Ali, Fullish delivery attacking the stumps, driven firmly to mid on for nothing. |
| 102.3 : J Hazlewood to Ali, On a length outside off, holding its line. Ali comes forward and makes a watchful leave. |
| 102.4 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Camps back to the length delivery outside off and pushes it to the covers. |
| 102.5 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Just back of a length outside off, Ali points his bat skywards and allows it through. Hazlewood is a treat to watch. He is so consistent with his line and length outside off. |
| 102.6 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Fractionally overpitched outside off, Azhar leans into the drive and creams it through the covers. Sharp running between the wickets fetches them three. |
| 103.1 : M Starc to Ali, Angles across a length delivery from Ali. He doesn't flirt with that one. |
| 103.2 : M Starc to Ali, Short of a length ball around off, Ali hangs back and defends it to the covers. |
| 103.3 : M Starc to Ali, On a length angling away, Ali is a bit tentative with his foot movement as he defends it down the track. |
| 103.4 : M Starc to Ali, Straying on the hips, tucked nicely through mid-wicket for a couple. |
| 103.5 : M Starc to Ali, On a length around off, defended solidly off the back foot to mid off. |
| 103.6 : M Starc to Ali, Full length ball outside off, Azhar bends low and looks to drive but mistimes it towards covers. |
| 104.1 : J Hazlewood to M Amir, Length delivery slanting across Amir. He drives it with an open face through covers for a single. |
| 104.2 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Dug in short but it's slanting down leg, Ali lets it go through. Wade dives athletically to his left to make a good stop. |
| 104.3 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Gets behind the line to this length delivery and defends it. |
| 104.4 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Short of a length around off, Ali stays back and defends it towards mid on. |
| 104.5 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Length delivery well outside off, left alone. |
| 104.6 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Tests him with a bouncer outside off and Ali is up to it as he sways away from the line of the delivery with good technique. |
| 105.1 : M Starc to Amir, OUT! STARC GETS HIS FIRST! Back of a length delivery attacking the body, Amir looks to glance it but only manages to get a fine tickle on it. Wade moves to his right and takes a regulation catch. Just the start the Aussies needed this morning to spur them up. The breezy 49-run stand comes to an end. Good contribution from Amir and he has done his job. |
| 0.0 : SOHAIL KHAN comes out to bat. |
| 105.2 : M Starc to Khan, Tests him with a bouncer first up, Khan ducks underneath it. |
| 105.3 : M Starc to Khan, Dug in short but gets it down the leg side, Sohail ducks easily under it to evade it. |
| 105.4 : M Starc to Khan, In the channel outside off, left alone. |
| 105.5 : M Starc to Khan, Fullish delivery and straying on the pads, clipped nicely with soft hands through mid-wicket. Khan gets off the mark with a couple. |
| 105.6 : Starc to Khan, Bowls a yorker length ball on middle and off, Khan is alert to it and digs it out nicely to short leg. End of a successful over by Starc! |
| 106.1 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Back of a length ball angling in, Ali shuffles and tucks it through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 106.2 : J Hazlewood to Khan, Fuller length ball on off, Sohail with his exaggerated followthrough of the bat defends it to the leg side. |
| 106.3 : J Hazlewood to Khan, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 106.4 : J Hazlewood to Khan, WELL BOWLED! Bowls a length delivery outside off, holds its line. Sohail feels for it but gets beaten all ends up. |
| 106.5 : J Hazlewood to Khan, Dug in short this time, Khan ducks under it. |
| 106.6 : J Hazlewood to Khan, Fuller length ball outside off curving back in. Sohail plays a loose shot across the line but gets beaten as the ball whizzes inches away past the off pole. |
| Leg slip in place. |
| 107.1 : M Starc to Ali, Camps back to the length delivery and defends it to the covers. |
| 107.2 : M Starc to Ali, Short of a length around the hips, Ali looks to tuck it away but misses. Leg slip can come into play. |
| 107.3 : M Starc to Ali, Shortish delivery wide outside off, Ali cuts it hard but finds Lyon at point who is standing a bit deep. |
| 107.4 : M Starc to Ali, Shortish delivery on middle and leg, Ali swivels across and pulls it nicely through backward square leg. Hazlewood cuts it off and keeps it down to two. |
| 107.5 : M Starc to Ali, Fuller length ball outside off, driven nicely to the covers. |
| 107.6 : M Starc to A Ali, FOUR! WELL PLAYED! Shortish delivery slanting across Azhar. He camps back and cuts it behind point and the ball races to the fence. It has been a brilliant knock and the crowd acknowledges his efforts. Can he score a double ton? |
| 150 up for Azhar Ali. |
| 108.1 : J Hazlewood to Khan, Stays back to the length ball on the stumps and defends it nicely down the track. |
| 108.2 : J Hazlewood to Khan, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 108.3 : J Hazlewood to Khan, Fullish delivery, defended solidly off the front foot. There is a nice breeze blowing across the MCG. Just the kind of conditions a seam bowler dreams of. |
| 108.4 : J Hazlewood to Khan, Dug in short, Khan ducks under it. |
| 108.5 : J Hazlewood to S Khan, FOUR! STREAKY RUNS! Bowls a fuller length ball wide outside off, Khan goes for a drive on the up but gets a thick outside edge that flies past Khawaja at third slip. He picked it up pretty late and didn't dive. Khan gets a boundary to his name. |
| 108.6 : J Hazlewood to Khan, Short of a length ball outside off, Khan plays it with an angled bat to point. |
| 109.1 : M Starc to Ali, Length delivery on middle, Ali camps back and defends it nicely. |
| 109.2 : M Starc to Ali, Shortish delivery on middle and leg, tucked to the leg side for a run. |
| 109.3 : M Starc to Khan, Bowls a bouncer at 141.7 clicks outside off, Sohail ducks under it. |
| 109.4 : M Starc to Khan, Goes wider of the crease and hurls in a fullish ball on the stumps, Khan stays well balanced and clips it through mid-wicket nicely. There is no protection in the deep and Maddinson has to run all the way from short leg to cut it off. Three runs taken! |
| 109.5 : M Starc to Ali, Fuller length ball outside off, Ali drives it on the up over covers and gets a couple to his name. The field came up and he took the aerial route. |
| 109.6 : M Starc to Ali, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 110.1 : J Hazlewood to Khan, Fullish delivery, pushed with soft hands to the leg side for a single. He gets off strike! |
| 110.2 : J Hazlewood to Ali, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 110.3 : J Hazlewood to Ali, FOUR! HIGHEST SCORE FOR A PAKISTANI BATSMAN IN AUSTRALIA IN TESTS! Bowls a fullish delivery outside off, Ali goes for a drive but gets an outside edge past second slip and the ball races to the third man fence. |
| 110.4 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Short of a length ball on the hips, tucked to fine leg for a run. |
| 110.5 : J Hazlewood to Khan, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 110.6 : J Hazlewood to Khan, On a length on the stumps, Khan covers the line and defends it down the track. |
| JACKSON BIRD into the attack. |
| 111.1 : J Bird to Ali, On a length on the stumps, clipped through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 111.2 : J Bird to Khan, In the channel outside off, shapes away after pitching. Khan doesn't flirt with that one. |
| 111.3 : J Bird to Khan, Fuller length ball outside off, pushed off the front foot to the off side. |
| 111.4 : J Bird to Khan, Dug in very short, Khan has no trouble in ducking under it. |
| 111.5 : J Bird to Khan, Tests him up with the short stuff again as Khan ducks and evades the bumper. |
| 111.6 : J Bird to Khan, On a length outside off, swinging away. Sohail stays back and makes a watchful leave. |
| NATHAN LYON to bowl now. A huge cheer for him as he takes his strides. |
| 112.1 : N Lyon to Ali, THAT SPUN AND BOUNCED SHARPLY! Bowls it well outside off, Azhar comes forward to defend but is beaten by the sharp inward spin as the ball whizzes past his outside edge. |
| 112.2 : N Lyon to Ali, Tossed up outside off, Ali looks to sweep it hard but misses. Hotspot shows there was something on the bat there. There was no appeal from the Aussies. |
| 112.3 : N Lyon to Ali, Ali waits for it and defends it with the spin to the leg side. |
| 112.4 : N Lyon to Ali, Gives this one plenty of air outside off, Azhar looks to sweep it hard again but misses. |
| 112.5 : N Lyon to A Ali, Ali eases this one with the spin through mid on for a run. |
| 112.6 : N Lyon to Khan, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground |
| 113.1 : J Bird to Ali, Fullish ball outside off, driven firmly to the covers. |
| 113.2 : J Bird to Ali, Ali walks down the pitch and places the short of the length delivery outside off through the off side. Single taken! |
| 113.3 : J Bird to Khan, THAT'S A PEACH! Bowls a length ball outside off, Khan feels for it but is beaten by the away movement. Nice seam position on that one! |
| 113.4 : J Bird to Khan, OUCH! THAT MUST HAVE HURT! Bowls a length delivery and it's angling in, Khan hops back and looks to work it across but gets an inside edge onto the abdomen area. |
| 113.5 : J Bird to Khan, Hurls in a length ball wider outside off, Khan looks to play at it but gets beaten. |
| 113.6 : J Bird to Khan, In the channel outside off, left alone. |
| Time for Drinks. |
| 114.1 : N Lyon to Ali, Tossed up outside off, defended with the spin down the track. |
| 114.2 : N Lyon to Ali, FOUR! GOOD SHOT! Loopy ball well outside off, Azhar dances down the track and drives it on the up over covers. Good timing on that one and the ball races to the fence. A declaration might be around the corner. |
| 114.3 : N Lyon to Ali, AN APPEAL FOR LBW TURNED DOWN! Floats it up on off, Ali goes for the lap sweep and seems to have got it from his bat. Wade goes up in a loud appeal but the umpire shakes his head. Couple taken! The Hotspot shows there was an under edge on that one. |
| 114.4 : N Lyon to Ali, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 114.5 : N Lyon to Ali, Fullish delivery, worked with the spin through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 114.6 : N Lyon to Khan, Khan comes forward to this one and defends it. |
| 115.1 : J Bird to Ali, Back of a length around off, tucked to the leg side for a run. |
| 115.2 : J Bird to Khan, Dug in short outside off, Sohail looks to hook it but misses. |
| 115.3 : J Bird to Khan, Fuller length ball outside off, pushed off the front foot to mid off. |
| 115.4 : J Bird to S Khan, Back of a length ball outside off, Khan looks to defend it but gets an outside edge past gully. Couple taken! |
| 115.5 : J Bird to Khan, FOUR! LUCKY RUNS! Bowls a fullish ball wider outside off, Sohail goes for an ambitious drive but gets a thick outside edge behind point and gets a handy boundary. |
| 115.6 : J Bird to Khan, On a length outside off, pushed off the back foot to mid off. |
| 116.1 : N Lyon to A Ali, Short delivery, pulled to deep mid-wicket for a run. |
| 116.2 : N Lyon to Khan, FOUR! SMITH ALMOST PULLED OFF A SPECTACULAR CATCH THERE! Bowls it shortish and wide outside off, Sohail bends low and scoops it past the keeper. Smith anticipated that to perfection and ran to his left but the ball brushes the fingertips of his right hand and races to the fine leg fence. |
| 116.3 : N Lyon to Khan, Shortish delivery, punched through the covers for a run. |
| 116.4 : N Lyon to Ali, Comes around the wicket and slides it across Ali. He prod forward to defend but is beaten. |
| 116.5 : N Lyon to Ali, A touch short and wide outside off, cut through cover-point nicely. Three runs taken! |
| 116.6 : N Lyon to Khan, Loopy ball well outside off, Khan looks to play at it but is beaten. |
| 117.1 : J Bird to Ali, In the channel outside off, left alone. |
| 0.0 : Here comes the drizzle again! Out come the groundsmen with covers. The main strip has been taken care of. It's pretty light at the moment. The radar shows that most of the clouds have passed over the MCG. There is also a strong breeze blowing across the ground. Looks like it will only be a brief halt. Will this make the Pakistanis declare or will they wait for Azhar Ali to complete his double ton? |
| We are back. Bird will continue his over and Azhar Ali to take strike. Here we go... |
| 117.2 : J Bird to Ali, FOUR! How about that? What a shot! Azhar has played the on and off drives so well all throughout this innings. Bird serves him an overpitched ball on off, Ali leans ahead and caresses it down the ground past mid on for a boundary to get going after the break. |
| 117.3 : J Bird to Ali, Good comeback from Bird! On a length and angling in, Ali tries to fiddle with it as the ball just whistles past the outside edge to the keeper. |
| 117.4 : J Bird to Ali, In the corridor outside off, Azhar shoulders his arms. |
| 117.5 : J Bird to Ali, Good length ball on off, AA gets behind the line and offers a straight bat. |
| 117.6 : J Bird to Ali, FOUR! Rides the bounce on this occasion! Jackson shortens the length this time but it sits up at a nice height for Azhar. He swivels a bit and pulls it on the up through square leg for another boundary in this over. Moves into 180s! |
| 118.1 : N Lyon to Khan, A shout for lbw, not given! Tosses it up outside off, turning in sharply, Sohail looks to hit this across the line with the spin but misses and is hit on the back pad. Lyon appeals but umpire S Ravi isn't interested. |
| 118.2 : N Lyon to Khan, Loopy ball around off, turns in again, Khan looks to defend but misses and is hit on the thigh pad again. |
| 118.3 : N Lyon to Khan, Outside off, turns in viciously as Khan looks to flick it away on the leg side but fails to get any wood on it. The ball goes towards fine leg and they try to steal byes. Umpire Ravi feels he didn't offer any stroke and hence no runs will be given. |
| 118.4 : N Lyon to Khan, Around middle and off, defended off the back foot. |
| 118.5 : N Lyon to Khan, SIX! Swung across the line! Lyon bowls a tossed up ball around off, Sohail skips down the track and gives it a full swing of the bat. Gets enough blade on it as it clears the cow corner fence with utmost ease for a biggie. |
| 118.6 : N Lyon to Khan, Full around middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 119.1 : J Bird to Khan, Shortish on off, defended off the back foot. |
| 119.2 : J Bird to Khan, FOUR! Shot! Nailed it, Sohail! A length ball on middle and off, Khan stays put and pulls it in front of square for a boundary. |
| 119.3 : J Bird to Khan, Sohial Khan looks to defend this length ball and gets an inside edge towards fine leg for a single. |
| 119.4 : J Bird to Ali, On a length and around off, touch short as well, Azhar pushes it towards point. |
| 119.5 : J Bird to Ali, Short of a length ball outside off, Ali arches back and waits for the ball to come. He gets low in the crease and cuts it very late towards gully where the fielder dives full length to his right to make a stop. |
| 119.6 : J Bird to Ali, The sucker ball as you would call it! Bird fires in a yorker on the stumps, Ali jams it out back to Bird. |
| 120.1 : N Lyon to Khan, Loopy ball around off, Sohail presents full face of the bat as he drives it back to Nathan. |
| 120.2 : N Lyon to Khan, Outside off, turning in, defended towards the leg side. |
| 120.3 : N Lyon to Khan, SIX! All hail Sohail! He is turning it on here by swinging the bat! Tossed up around middle and leg, Khan gets low in the crease and thumps it over mid-wicket for a biggie all the way. |
| 120.4 : N Lyon to Khan, SIX! This is even hugeeeeee! Lyon once again tosses it up around middle and off, Sohail Khan is in some mood here. Gets in the line and goes bang over long on for back-to-back maximums. What a catch in the crowd! 400 up for Pakistan and in some style. |
| 120.5 : N Lyon to Khan, In the air... safe! Sohail Khan has some luck with him! You don't see David Warner letting go such chances! Drags the length short this time, Khan looks to hit it across the line. Gets a top edge towards backward square leg where Warner completely misjudges it and the ball falls safely. Two runs added to the total. |
| 120.6 : N Lyon to Khan, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| MITCHELL STARC is back on! |
| 121.1 : M Starc to Ali, Starc comes from around the wicket and serves a low full toss on off, pushed towards sweeper cover for a single. |
| 121.2 : M Starc to Khan, Short of a length ball outside off, Khan lets it go. |
| 121.3 : M Starc to Khan, Fuller and angling in, flicked towards short mid-wicket. |
| 121.4 : M Starc to Khan, Mitchell fires in a yorker on middle, Khan jams it out back to the bowler. |
| 121.5 : M Starc to Khan, FIFTY FOR SOHAIL KHAN! Superbly done, mate! Removes the helmet and sinks the appreciation that is on offer for him. Fuller in length and angling in, Sohail works it through the gap at mid-wicket for three runs. |
| Maiden Test fifty for Sohail Khan! |
| 121.6 : M Starc to Ali, FOUR! Up and over! Frustration continues for the Aussies! Short and outside off, Ali keeps his bat skywards and gets it easily over gully for another boundary. Terrific stuff from the visitors. |
| 122.1 : N Lyon to Khan, Short and around off, punched towards covers for a single. |
| 122.2 : N Lyon to Ali, Full and around off, defended off the front foot. |
| 122.3 : N Lyon to Ali, Tossed up around middle and off, Ali comes down the track to defend it. |
| 122.4 : N Lyon to Ali, Worked away towards square leg for a single. |
| 122.5 : N Lyon to Khan, SIX! Kaboom! He has picked the bones outta that one! Tossed up around middle and off, Khan gets down on one knee and brings out the slog sweep. Makes fabulous connection and sends it soaring over the long on fence for a maximum. |
| 100-run stand between Ali and Khan! |
| 122.6 : N Lyon to Khan, Loopy around off, defended down gently. |
| 123.1 : M Starc to Ali, FOUR! Ahh, this is class apart batting! On a length and just outside off, Ali is firm in his crease, opens the face of the bat and glides it between second slip and gully for a boundary to move into 190s! |
| 123.2 : M Starc to Ali, Fuller in length and around off, pushed towards covers. |
| 123.3 : M Starc to Ali, Fuller outside off, Azhar comes forward and drives it through covers. The outfield has got some beating due to the rain and hence the ball slows down. Three runs picked up. |
| 123.4 : M Starc to Khan, Fires a yorker into the blockhole but Sohail Khan brings his bat down to keep it at bay. |
| 123.5 : M Starc to Khan, FOUR! Flashes and flashes hard! Starc hurls a back of a length ball outside off, width on offer and Sohail Khan rides the bounce as he cuts it hard through backward point for a rocketing boundary. It crossed the ropes before I could even blink. Note - This is also the highest 8th-wicket stand for Pakistan in Tests, that is some feat! |
| 123.6 : M Starc to Khan, FOUR! More runs, they keep flowing for Pakistan! Fuller and sprayed on the pads, Sohail Khan looks to flick and it seemed like it went off the pads towards fine leg. They all wait for the umpire and he signals it as runs off the blade. The bails come off and that shall be LUNCH ON DAY 3! |
| Pakistan have taken another session in their kitty. We have seen everything in this session, a delay, then again a delay, a wicket and then lots of runs, 123 to be precise! Azhar Ali though has kept the limelight with him but to be honest Sohail Khan has dragged it in his favour. One may argue it was more of a declaration batting but you need guts to take the attack to an opposition like Australia. He came in with an intention and entertained one and all with his run-a-ball 65 and has grown in c |
| Misbah's men will be patting themselves to have crossed the 400-run mark for the second time in a row and it could be just a matter of time before they declare as they will just wait for Azhar Ali to register his second double ton of the year. The Australians have been made to toil hard for wickets and they would very well know the momentum is with Pakistan and they too have some quality bowling in their ranks to push the hosts on the back foot. One thing is guaranteed, the home side will come o |
| ...DAY 3, SESSION 2... |
| Welcome back for the second session of play. Pakistan will probably declare after Azhar Ali's double ton and the ball completely lies in their court. The vsistors have a penetrative pace attack and they can trouble any batting line-up. JOSH HAZLEWOOD to bowl first up after Lunch. It's bright and sunny now. Let's see how things unfold... |
| 124.1 : J Hazlewood to A Ali, Bowls a fullish ball around off, Ali shuffles and clips it towards mid on. |
| 124.2 : J Hazlewood to Ali, On a length outside off, Ali leans forward and defends it confidently. |
| 124.3 : J Hazlewood to Ali, On a length nipping in a shade, Azhar plants his front foot forward and defends it to the off side. |
| 124.4 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Fullish and it's straying on the pads, clipped through backward square leg for a couple. Moves to 198. |
| 124.5 : J Hazlewood to Ali, Fullish ball outside off, angling in. Azhar pushes it off the inner half of his bat to mid on. |
| A run out appeal has been referred upstairs. It's against Sohail Khan. Looks very close to the naked eye. |
| 124.6 : J Hazlewood to ALI, OUT! GREAT RUN OUT BY MADDINSON! Short of a length on middle and leg, Ali tucks it with soft hands towards square leg and sets off for a run. Sohail Khan is a bit slow to get off his blocks as Maddinson comes charging in and flicks in an underarm throw at the striker's end. Scores a direct hit as Khan drags his bat in. Looks like it will be touch and go. Time for the replays. It shows that his bat is grounded just on the crease as the bails come off. Nothing behind th |
| WAHAB RIAZ is the next man in. |
| 125.1 : M Starc to Ali, Short of a length outside off, Ali arches back and glides it to third man for a single. |
| 125.2 : M Starc to Riaz, The batsman was beaten and missed the line of the delivery. |
| 125.3 : M Starc to Riaz, Fullish ball outside off, driven through covers for a single. Ali is on strike now. |
| 125.4 : M Starc to Ali, WHAT A KNOCK BY ALI! He thumps the air in delight and raises his arms skywards. He has played with so much of poise and grace and the Melbourne crowd rises up on its feet! A thoroughly well-deserved double ton. Fullish and straying on the pads, Ali clips it through backward square leg and comes back for a couple. |
| 2nd Double Ton for Azhar Ali. |
| 125.5 : M Starc to Ali, FOUR! SHOT! Fuller length ball outside off, Ali drives it nicely with an open face behind point and the ball races to the fence. |
| 125.6 : M Starc to Ali, A well directed yorker as Ali digs it out towards gully. |
| 126.1 : J Hazlewood to Riaz, Fuller length ball outside off, Riaz throws his bat at it but misses. |
| 126.2 : J Hazlewood to Riaz, Stays back to the back of a length ball and defends it to the covers. |
| 126.3 : Hazlewood to Riaz, OUT! PAKISTAN HAVE DECLARED ON 443/9! 100th Test wicket for Hazlewood as well. Bowls a shortish delivery on middle and leg, Riaz stands tall and heaves across the line but only gets a top edge that lobs back towards Hazlewood. He comes under it and pouches it safely. Pakistan have posted a huge score on the board and that brings their seamers big time into play! |
| And here comes the declaration after Azhar Ali's fabulous double ton. They have dominated the proceedings completely today and have lit up the MCG with free spirited strokeplay. It was the 8th wicket 118-run stand between Ali and Sohail Khan that gave the much needed momentum to Pakistan and they are poised nicely at the moment. |
| Earlier, Shafiq also batted solidly to stitch a crucial 115-run stand alongwith Azhar Ali to steer Pakistan to safe harbours. Bird was the standout bowler and bowled with great rhythm. Hazlewood also shone with the ball and both of them scalped three wickets apiece. Australia need to bat really well now. The home side will be coming hard at them with the ball. Let's see who comes out on top. |
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