Mighty Marnus earns Australia control
Australia are seven wickets away from victory over Pakistan in the first test, with Marnus Labuschagne’s maiden test century highlighting new-found batting depth at home.
The tourists went to stumps at 64-3 on the third day at the Gabba yesterday, still needing another 276 runs to make Australia bat again after the hosts put on 580 in their first innings.
Mitchell Starc was the late destroyer, trapping captain Azhar Ali lbw and having Haris Sohail caught behind before Pat Cummins also had Asad Shafiq edging off to third slip for a duck.
But yesterday’s highlight was Labuschagne’s strokeplay, passing David Warner’s 154 with his highest first-class score of 185.
Matthew Wade also hit 60 to go with Joe Burns’ 97 at the top on Friday, with Steve Smith the only member of the top five not to pass 50, making four in a rare failure.
The issue of scoring runs when Smith has failed has long been an issue for Australia. But yesterday, Australia showed it was possible.
Their 580 marked the first time since the 2014 Boxing Day test that Australia passed 300 in an innings where Smith failed to reach double figures.
Labuschagne was superb in his best day for Australia. He endured some nervous moments in the 90s but, otherwise, drove masterfully down the ground and worked the ball behind the wicket at ease.
The Queenslander looked set to make it a double century, before an edge from Shaheen Shah Afridi (2-96) went to gully shortly after tea.
His knock further strengthened Australia’s top-three security, with Burns looking a lock at the top alongside Warner after Friday’s 222-run opening stand.
Warner earlier added just three to his overnight score in a tough first hour.
After resuming on 151, he battled away against the Pakistan quicks before becoming teenage sensation Naseem Shah’s first test wicket.
Naseem bowled only four overs yesterday but claimed his prized scalp when a short ball brushed the back of Warner’s bat as he attempted to evade it.
Smith fell moments later, out to Yasir Shah for the seventh time in his career when he was bowled trying to hit a full ball behind square on the legside.
Yasir finished with 4-205, making him the first bowler to go for 200 three times in Australia.
Part-time spinner Haris also took 2-75, getting Matthew Wade and Travis Head (24) caught behind before Australia’s lower order fell within an hour after tea.