RAIN DAMPENER

Wet weather poured cold water on any hopes of a result at the Melbourne Cricket Ground even as captain Steve Smith became second Australian to score a hundred against Pakistan in the second Test on Thursday.

Smith’s efforts (100 not out, 168 balls, nine 4s) pushed Australia to a 22run first innings lead on the fourth day shortly before a storm all but washed away the home side’s hopes of victory in the second Test.

A downpour prompted an early tea two balls after Smith had completed his 17th test hundred and play was later abandoned as rain pelted down at the ground that had been bathed in sunshine for most of the day. Australia had moved to 465 for six in reply to the tourists’ 443-9 declared.

Although Friday’s final day is expected to be clear, the weather has left Australia little time to build an imposing enough total to pressure Pakistan’s batsmen and force a result to wrap up the three-match series 2-0.

“Obviously the rain hasn’t helped us,” Smith told reporters. “So now it’s just about summing it up in the morning and seeing where we can go. It’s obviously going to be difficult to get a result.

“The wicket hasn’t broken up much and it’s playing pretty well.”

Australia lost two wickets in the morning and when they resumed after lunch on 395-4, Smith pulled a short ball from Sohail Khan for four on the first delivery of the session to notch his 1,000th run for the year.

With the game slipping away from Pakistan when Australia reached 4475, home wicketkeeper Matthew Wade slogged Yasir into Azhar Ali’s helmet as he fielded at short leg and the opening batsman slumped to the ground in pain. — 17 Test centuries for Australian captain Steve Smith in 90 innings Steve Smith raises his bat after scoring a century on Thursday.

Obviously the rain hasn’t helped us. So now it’s just about summing it up in the morning and seeing where we can go Steve Smith