David Warner unbeaten century leads Australia charge against Pakistan

Pakistan batsman Azhar Ali walks off undefeated after scoring his double century against Australia on the third day of the second cricket Test match in Melbourne on December 28 2016 Pic AFP PHOTOMelbourneA rampaging David Warner smashed a runaball century to fire Australia to 278 for two and wrest back the momentum from Pakistan after Azhar Alis unbeaten double hundred buoyed the touring side on day three of the second test on WednesdayWarners exhilarating 144 anchored a 198run partnership with Usman Khawaja at the Melbourne Cricket Ground as Australia slashed the deficit to 165 runs after Pakistans first innings declaration of 4439 after lunchKhawaja was unbeaten on 95 at stumps with captain Steve Smith on 10 not out and Australia holding genuine hope of forcing a result despite the rain interruptions that blighted the opening two daysWarners furious counterattack sapped the morale from the tourists who had also glimpsed a chance of a serieslevelling victory following gritty opener Azhars brilliant knock of 205More galling for Pakistan was that Warner was reprieved on 81 when he was bowled by a no ball from Wahab Riaz Were in a good position now our aim was to take the scoreboard out of the equation and just bat said Warner after a hot and sunny afternoon of workWe cant control theweather but we just want to bat as big as we canPaceman Wahab had a dreadfully wayward day sending down 10 no balls including a hattrick of overstepped marks in the over of Warners nondismissalIt was a golden day however for opposing openers Warner and Azhar and both raced by a number of milestonesAzhars double hundred was the highest innings by a Pakistan player in Australia and only three runs shy of Viv Richards 1984 record for touring batsmen at the MCGHe also became his nations first to surpass 200 twice in a calendar year having scored an unbeaten 302 against West Indies in Dubai in OctoberRARE SLUMPFor Warner his 17th century was his first at the MCG completing a sweep of tons at Australias six state venues while ending a rare slump in form with the red ballThe pugnacious lefthander also galloped past 5000 test runs joining the likes of Don Bradman Ricky Ponting and the Chappell brothersHe reached his hundred with a streaky inside edge that raced to the fine leg boundary and did his customary leap and fistpump in the air as the crowd of 25393 roared After hammering another six fours Warner feathered an edge off Wahab confirmed as caught behind by the third umpire after captain MisbahulHaq asked for a reviewIt was a far better review than the first demanded by Mohammad Amir in the opening overs when Warner was on two Warner played and missed an Amir delivery but the paceman cajoled his captain into seeking a caught behind decision and the TV footage showed plenty of daylight between bat and ballWarners eventual dismissal did little to halt Australias charge however with Khawaja racing into the 90s and combining with captain Smith in an unbroken 34run standWarner and Khawajas assault threatened to overshadow Azhars epic 364ball knock a triumph of patience and determination in the face of a string of rain delays and a quality bowling attackHaving spent more than nineandahalf hours at the crease clattering 20 boundaries Azhar tucked away two runs off paceman Mitchell Starc to bring up the 200 and gave a running jump for joy before ripping off his helmetIt certainly is a big achievement 31yearold Azhar who was given a standing ovation by the crowd told reportersIts a big big tour for our team So I was very focused and really wanted to get there