On the third day of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia fortified their position with a commanding 241-run lead over Pakistan.
Early setbacks saw Australia at a shaky 16-4, effectively ahead by only 70 runs. However, a pivotal partnership between Mitchell Marsh and Steve Smith for the fifth wicket, amassing 153 runs, turned the tide. Marsh’s aggressive play yielded 96 runs off 130 deliveries, while Smith’s steady knock of 50 runs concluded with the day’s final ball.
Smith’s late wicket offered Pakistan a glimmer of hope, despite their earlier missed opportunity when Abdullah Shafique dropped Marsh at 20.
Pakistan’s day began at 194-6, trailing Australia’s initial total by 124 runs. A valiant effort by Mohammad Rizwan, scoring 42, and contributions from Aamer Jamal and Shaheen Afridi, scoring 33 not out and 21, respectively, narrowed their deficit to 54 runs.
Australian skipper Pat Cummins shone with a 5-48 bowling figure, marking his 10th Test five-wicket haul. Nathan Lyon supported with a 4-73 tally as Pakistan was dismissed for 264.
Australia faced early challenges in their second innings. Opener Usman Khawaja was quickly dispatched by Shaheen Afridi, followed by Marnus Labuschagne. Mir Hamza then removed David Warner and Travis Head in quick succession.
Marsh, however, withstood the pressure, steering the team to 46-4 before his narrow escape from being caught. His brisk half-century from 70 balls injected momentum, but his innings ended at the hands of Hamza, caught at slip by Salman Agha.
Smith’s contrasting and resilient 50 off 176 balls concluded as he was caught from a Shaheen bouncer. Alex Carey remains not out with 16 runs, setting up an intriguing day four, with Pakistan facing a challenging chase on an increasingly difficult pitch.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Australia Pakistan Test Match
What was the result of the third day of the Boxing Day Test between Australia and Pakistan?
Australia ended the third day of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground with a significant 241-run lead over Pakistan. This advantage was primarily due to Mitchell Marsh’s 96 runs and Steve Smith’s half-century.
How did Mitchell Marsh and Steve Smith contribute to Australia’s lead?
Mitchell Marsh and Steve Smith formed a crucial partnership for the fifth wicket, scoring 96 and 50 runs respectively. Their partnership helped recover Australia from a shaky start, ultimately leading to a strong position at the end of day three.
What were the key moments for Pakistan on the third day?
Pakistan started the day trailing Australia and managed to reduce their deficit to 54 runs, thanks to Mohammad Rizwan’s 42 runs and contributions from Aamer Jamal and Shaheen Afridi. However, they missed a crucial chance to dismiss Mitchell Marsh early in his innings.
How did the Australian bowlers perform on the third day?
Australian captain Pat Cummins led the bowling attack with impressive figures of 5-48, achieving his 10th Test five-wicket haul. Nathan Lyon also contributed significantly, taking 4-73 as Pakistan was bowled out for 264.
What challenges will Pakistan face on day four of the Test?
On day four, Pakistan is set to face a challenging chase on a deteriorating pitch. Australia’s substantial lead and Pakistan’s earlier batting collapse hint at a tough day ahead for the Pakistani team.
More about Australia Pakistan Test Match
- Australia vs Pakistan Test Highlights
- Mitchell Marsh’s Performance Analysis
- Steve Smith’s Test Career Stats
- Day 3 Summary: Boxing Day Test
- Pat Cummins’ Bowling Achievements
- Pakistan’s Cricket Team Profile
- Melbourne Cricket Ground History
4 comments
was expecting more from Pakistan’s batting lineup, they need to step up their game, or this Test is all Australia’s.
Go Aussies! that lead is massive, great job by the team, especially Marsh, tough luck missing out on the century though.
Cummins is on fire this series, 5 wickets? Amazing! Pakistan’s got a tough day ahead, that’s for sure…
wow, what a day for Australia! Marsh and Smith really saved the day, didn’t they?? Australia’s really got a strong hold now.