Australia 116 for two (Khawaja 47, Labuschagne 23*, Salman 1-18, Jamal 1-26) path Pakistan 313 by 197 runs
Australia made gradual progress in opposition to a disciplined Pakistan assault, however solely 46 overs have been bowled within the day’s play attributable to dangerous gentle and rain. Marnus Labuschagne was unbeaten on 23 and Steven Smith 6 not out, and they’ll get the prospect to reset in what must be higher situations on day three.
Despite the fact that the SCG’s gentle towers have been on, play stopped simply after drinks within the second session after Pakistan refused to solely bowl their spinners.
Play was unable to renew with persistent rain falling within the afternoon as dangerous climate continues to plague the normal New 12 months’s Take a look at in Sydney. However the forecast is for largely clear situations for the rest of the match.
All eyes earlier had been on Warner, who’s taking part in in his 112th and last Take a look at. He survived a tense last over earlier than stumps on day one after receiving a guard of honour from the Pakistan crew. He began the innings with a first-ball boundary off spinner Sajid Khan earlier than virtually taking part in the ball onto his stumps in a slim escape.
Warner once more got here out to a standing ovation to start out day two and shared a hug together with his shut pal Khawaja earlier than strolling to the crease. There was intrigue over whether or not Warner would come out swinging, however he appeared to eye the lengthy haul as he performed fastidiously.
Warner did hit a fantastic cowl drive off veteran seamer Hasan Ali, who was bowling at pedestrian speeds. Stepping down the crease, Warner was treating him with disdain however he did have one other nervous second when he edged via a vacant third slip and to the boundary.
The group groaned as Warner ripped his gloves off and berated himself earlier than trudging off to a standing ovation and loud applause.
It was the one wicket of an attritional session. Below gloomy situations, the floor had been tougher for batting than on the opening day with variable bounce notable from Salman.
Australia have batted conservatively in a far cry to the manic motion on day one when Pakistan rattled alongside at 4 runs an over however frequently misplaced wickets.
There was concern for Pakistan straight after lunch when Hasan hobbled off with an obvious ankle damage however he returned shortly afterwards.
Salman continued to threaten and was significantly harmful across the wicket to left-handed Khawaja as he focused the tough patches.
Labuschagne, seeking to shrug off a lean 2023 the place he averaged 35 in Take a look at cricket, seemed fluent at first as he performed the ball neatly via his favoured on-side earlier than being tied down by correct bowling.
Khawaja stonewalled on a floor he has lengthy dominated having averaged over 100 from seven earlier Assessments with 4 centuries. Aside from utilizing his ft properly to bludgeon Sajid within the first session, Khawaja dug in as he closed in on a half-century.
It was gradual going till out of nowhere Khawaja tickled a brief supply angled down the leg-side from Jamal. After Khawaja was initially deemed not out, wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan instantly known as for a overview and his confidence was justified when replays confirmed that Khawaja had gloved it.
Bowling persistently at speeds close to 140 kmh, Jamal sought a short-ball tactic in opposition to Smith who countered by pulling to the boundary on his second supply confronted because the ball sped previous a slew of fielders on the leg-side.
However the intriguing battle was placed on maintain with the match within the steadiness.
Tristan Lavalette is a journalist primarily based in Perth
