BLOG: Second Test Australia vs Pakistan at the MCG

TEA: PAKISTAN 4/142. Azah Ali 66 

As light rain falls an early tea has been taken at the MCG.   A good spell from Jackson Bird suggests there is a little bit in the pitch for the bowlers and Australia will be looking to make a dent in the lower order.

Although Azah Ali has fought hard, a significant partnership has not been established and the key wickets of Younis and Misbah have been snaffled.  The extremely capable Asad Shafiq has joined Sami in the middle , Pakistan will remain optimistic of posting an adequate total.

Mike Hussey and Glenn McGrath wrap the 2nd session of day 1.

 

 

LUNCH: PAKISTAN 2/60 

Growing tension was apparent in the last over before lunch as the Pakistan batsmen continued to frustrate the Australian bowlers pushing back from the crease due to a prevalence of flies at the MCG. Hazlewood channelled his irritation into his work dismissing Baber on the final delivery, caught by Smith at second slip.

Earlier in the session, Nathan Lyon’s cult status surged taking the wicket of Sami as a ‘spitting cobra’ delivery was edged to Steve Smith.  Here is Damien Fleming and Dean Jones to up date you on what is an evenly poised match. Highlights to follow.

 

Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat in this keenly anticipated Test match against Australia at the iconic MCG.  Pakistan is full of confidence following their almost ‘come from behind’ win but Damien Fleming suggests it is a good opportunity for Australia to bowl.  Hear his preview with John Emburey and Dean Jones with the Misbah-ul-Haq and Steve Smith following the toss.

AUS: Matthew Renshaw, David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Steven Smith (c), Peter Handscomb, Nic Maddinson, Matthew Wade (wk), Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Jackson Bird

PAK: Sami Aslam, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq (c), Asad Shafiq, Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), Wahab Riaz, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Amir, Sohail Khan