Aussies in with a chance after Warner hits century

A RUN-A-BALL hundred from David Warner gave Australia an outside chance of forcing a result after Azhar Ali posted a double-century for Pakistan in the second Test in Melbourne yesterday.

Warner smashed 144 off 143 balls in a pulsating 198-run stand with Usman Khawaja to cut Pakistan’s lead to just 165 runs with two days to play. Azhar posted the highest score by a Pakistan batsman in Australia with an unbeaten 205, before a declaration on 443 for nine just after lunch on the third day.

By stumps, the home side had given themselves a chance of getting a lead to put the pressure back on the Pakistanis after rain had disrupted the opening two days.

Usman Khawaja was gunning for a century on 95 with skipper Steve Smith not out 10 as Australia reached 278 for two off just 58 overs at a rate of 4.8 runs an over.

Warner plundered his maiden century in a Boxing Day Test at the MCG and his 17th Test hundred overall.

“It was sort of my bogey venue. Taking momentum from the one-day hundred I scored here, to hit my first Test one took a weight off my shoulders,” Warner said.

The left-handed opener survived a big moment on 81 when he was bowled by Wahab Riaz with a searing 150 kph inswinger after tea, but it was called a no-ball for over-stepping.

Riaz finally got Warner 63 runs later when Hot Spot and Real-Time Snickometer found a faint brush on his glove and he was given out on review to a legside catch behind.

Warner’s innings contained 17 fours and a six and his 198-run stand with Khawaja came off just 214 balls.

Azhar earlier overtook the previous highest Pakistan Test score in Australia – Majid Khan’s 158 posted in Melbourne 44 years ago.

Skipper Misbah-ul-Haq called a halt upon the dismissal of Riaz, leaving Azhar unconquered off 364 balls in almost 10 hours at the crease spread over three days.

With the dismissal of Riaz, Hazlewood claimed his 100th Test wicket in 25 Tests at an average of 25.79. — AFP