MELBOURNE: A century-less summer continued for Australia’s batsmen even as the hosts dominated the opening day of the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday.
Shane Watson‘s quest for a maiden Test century ended in an awful mix-up before Simon Katich also threw away a golden opportunity as Australlia ended day one on 305-3 after captain Ricky Ponting won the toss and elected to bat.
Michael Hussey was batting on 38 while night watchman Nathan Hauritz had five not out when stumps were drawn at the MCG.
Pakistan’s fielders contributed handsomely to the imposing Australian total with several dropped catches. Australia, who saw off a cautious first session adding 73 runs, scored freely in the second as openers Watson and Katich benefited from the generous Pakistani fielders. Three Australian wickets in the final session, however, brought some respite for the toiling Pakistan bowlers.
Australia, who went to tea on 177 for no wicket, returned for the final session only to witness Watson walk back for 93 after he scampered for a single only to be left stranded by Simon Katich.
Katich, who was out for 99 against the West Indies in the recently concluded Test series, cut a Mohammad Asif delivery straight into the hands of Salman Butt, stationed at point two runs short of his century. Australia captain Ricky Ponting, who just about recovered in time for the Boxing Day Test after a blow to the elbow in the previous Test against the West Indies, lifted the hosts’ run rate with a classically stylish cameo.
Ponting had raced to 57 from just 60 balls with the help of seven fours before Asif induced an outside edge, which was held by Misbah-ul-Haq at slip.
Pakistan were missing the services of pace spearhead Umar Gul who was out injured. Abdur Rauf replaced him for the Test while off-spinner Saeed Ajmal was preferred over leg-spinner Danish Kaneria.
Australia, on the other hand, were boosted by captain Ricky Ponting’s return to fitness while paceman Peter Siddle returned from injury to replace Clint McKay.
