Martyn leads charge

Damien Martyn scored yet another century as Australia dominated the 3rd day at the MCG.

After rain caused a delayed start, Pakistan struck twice early on to remove Adam Gilchrist for a rapid 48 and Shane Warne for 10, but Martyn stood firm and number 9 Jason Gillespie further enhanced his reputation as a late order batsman as the pair added 97 runs for the 8th wicket.

It was Martyn's 6th Test century in 2004, and he extended it to 142 before being adjudged leg before wicket to a ball from Danish Kaneria that was possibly a touch high. Kaneria was having to bowl a heavy load, as Abdul Razzaq was too ill to take the field, leaving the side with just 3 frontline bowlers.

On Martyn's dismissal, Gillespie was able to open out a bit, and he managed to move himself to his second Test half century the ball before Glenn McGrath was dismissed by Kaneria - the leg-spinner's 5th wicket being a well-earned reward for his stint.

Still, Australia had a lead of 38 at the Tea interval, and with Pakistan potentially a man down already, they needed a solid start. They were not to get it though, as Australia's bowlers shared out the wickets in a commanding display with the ball.

McGrath was first to strike, removing Salman Butt 4th ball without a run on the board, and when Gillespie dismissed his partner Imran Farhat for 5, the side were in trouble.

They hadn't made up the deficit before McGrath struck again, Yasir Hameed caught behind for 23 and Pakistan's troubles deepened.

Yousuf Youhana and Younis Khan managed to avert that decline with a dogged stand of 25, but Shane Warne managed to dismiss the stand-in captain for 12, and within 20 minutes Khan was caught low down by Matthew Hayden, the 5th different fielder to take a catch out of the 5 wickets to fall.

With Razzaq absent, Mohammad Sami was sent in at number 7, and he helped Shoaib Malik see the game through to the close, but at 86-5, they're only 47 runs ahead, and weather permitting, Australia should wrap the game up easily tomorrow.


PAKISTAN 341
Youhana 111, Khan 87, Butt 70
AUSTRALIA 379
Martyn 142, Gillespie 50*, Langer 50, Akhtar 5-109, Kaneria 5-125
PAKISTAN 86-5
Youhana 111, Khan 87, Butt 70

Posted by Marc