Australia are 0/113 in response to a solid first innings total of 9/454 from Pakistan. David Warner has taken to the bowlers and looks comfortable, hitting 73 runs from 75 balls as the Australian’s look to position themselves positively in the test match.
If he scores a century tomorrow, Warner will have posted his third consecutive ton for Australia. Hitting 135 and 145 in his last innings, Warner has averaged 90.5 in his last six innings and is swinging the bat with freedom and confidence.
Seven boundaries, including an ostentatious reverse sweep, saw the runs trickle quickly for Warner. Opening partner Chris Rogers scored a more patient and traditional 31 from 110 balls.
Rogers was dropped in first slip on 13 from the bowling of Younis Khan. Dancing down the wicket, he prodded defensively outside off stump and presented the home side with a golden chance.
An impressive 80 ball century from Pakistan Wicket Keeper Sarfraz Ahmed bolstered the batting effort in the middle order and pushed the total to a formidable 454.
Ahmed displayed some free-flowing shots of his own and was energetic in chasing the Australian spinners. He was removed for 109, stumped off the bowling of Nathan Lyon soon after reaching the milestone.
The Aussie spin-attack copped some punishment from the Pakistan middle-order as batsmen attempted to squeeze every drop out of the innings. Lyon and débutante spinner Stephen O’Keefe both picked up two late wickets as the tail wagged.
Mitchell Johnson and Peter Siddle looked the most likely to take wickets. Siddle claimed 1/50 from 24 overs at an economy rater of 2.04 runs, while Johnson claimed with 3/39 from 31 overs. Johnson closed out the Pakistan innings in typical fashion, throwing down fast deliveries at the body and varying his pace.
Zulfiqar Babar was the recipient of a lightning bolt to the hand from Johnson and he had to retire hurt, closing an impressive Pakistan innings that began incredibly at 2/7.
The Australian cricket team will need to keep the runs flowing if they are to meet the Pakistan total with enough time to force a victory on day 3. If Warner remains at the crease until lunch, the outlook may be very positive for the visitors.
