An unbeaten 231-run partnership for the fourth wicket between centurions, skipper Ricky Ponting (137 not out) and his deputy Michael Clarke (111 not out), helped Australia dictate the terms to Pakistan on the opening day of the third and final Test
An unbeaten 231-run partnership for the fourth wicket between centurions, skipper Ricky Ponting (137 not out) and his deputy Michael Clarke (111 not out), helped Australia dictate the terms to Pakistan on the opening day of the third and final Test.
Courtesy Ponting and Clarke, Australia, who already have pocketed the series, ended Day One at 302 for three.
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Young left-arm bowler Mohammad Aamer will surely have a sleepless night. Fielding at fine leg, Aamer spilled a dolly offered by Ponting at Mohammad Asif early on in the day when the skipper had not even opened his account. The great batsman then took full advantage of the life as he raced to his 39th Test century.
Earlier in the morning, Australia didn't get an ideal start after electing to bat first. Simon Katich (11) was trapped in front of the wickets by Asif in the seventh over the day. Though Pakistan tasted success in the first session in the form of Shane Watson (29) and Michael Hussey (6) to put Australia under sone pressure at 71 for three, then on it was a Ponting and Clarke show till tea.
Meanwhile, Pakistan dropped controversial glovesman Kamran Akmal for the last rubber of the series. As a result, Sarfraz Ahmed earned his maiden Test cap.
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