AUS v PAK, 2nd Test, Day 4 Review: Australia take a lead as Smith hits a ton

Australia’s captain Steven Smith registered his 17th Test hundred to guide Australia past Pakistan’s first innings total and gain a 22 run lead before bad weather yet consumed a chunk of the day’s action on day four of the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.

Smith made to his second century of the series just in time as the umpires were forced to suspend the play due to rains which showed up 25 minutes before the Tea. Initially, an early tea break was announced with some hope but the condition wasn’t suitable for the play to continue and the officials had to call stumps. Australia finished today with 465 for 6.

The start of the day was bright but not pleasant for Usman Khawaja who fell three runs short of a century for the second time this summer. Play started thirty minutes early Khawaja resumed batting on 95 and was only able to add two runs to his overnight score before getting caught behind off Wahab Riaz’s bowling.This was the second time this summer he has fallen three short of his century replicating what he did against South Africa at the WACA few weeks back.

But, there was no sudden turnaround in the batting paradise as No. 5 Peter Handscomb who impressed on his debut supported Smith. Nic Maddinson and Matthew Wade, unfortunately, were responsible for two easy wickets in the afternoon session and eased off a bit of pressure off the visitors.

On a pitch offering good assistance, Handscomb was in an attacking mood and helped Australia to narrow the deficit at a quick pace. Both the batsmen looked confident and did not face much of trouble. The fluency with the bat saw the former reach his second test fifty before he gave Pakistan a reason to cheer.

Handscomb, in the 86th over, after surviving two close chances off Mohammad Amir’s bowling in the previous over, Handscomb gave away his wicket to Sohail Khan giving him a reward for his disciplined spell. The wicket ended the entertaining 4th wicket stand of 94 runs stand.

After lunch, Maddinson was unable to get going and eventually lost his wicket in an attempt to break the shackles as he failed to connect a slog off Yasir Shah’s bowling and got himself bowled. Wade was able to connect a few crisp strokes but failed to survive for long. He edged Sohail Khan to depart for another unimpressive score. The dark clouds then came together over Smith’s head to make him rush towards his century before the covers were called on.

Brief scores: 

Pakistan: 443/9d (Azhar Ali 205*; Josh Hazlewood 3/53)

Australia: 465/6 (David Warner 144; Sohail Khan 2/86)