Australia eye series whitewash after Katich sparks Pak collapse in Hobart Test
January 16th, 2010 - 2:36 pm ICT by ANIMelbourne, Jan 16 (ANI): Australia has extended its lead over Pakistan to 277 runs at the end of day three of the third Test against Pakistan in Hobart, with Simon Katich reviving hopes of a series clean sweep by triggering a tourist’s batting collapse.
Australia is 1/59 in its second innings when day’s play was called off. Pakistan resumed the day at 4/94, and resisted stoically for three hours due to Shoaib Malik (58) and Salman Butt (102), who shared a 129 run partnership.
Australian pacers struggled for penetration on the docile Bellerive pitch, and it was only when part-time spinner Simon Katich (3/34), was introduced to the attack that wickets began to fall, The Age reports.
Katich almost immediately spun out Salman Butt for 102 when Pakistan were cruising at 213 for four and went on to claim Sarfraz Ahmed (1) and Mohammad Aamer (4) to help bowl them out for 301.
While Australia took a 218-run lead, Ricky Ponting opted against enforcing the follow-on on the flat Hobart pitch and saw his team to 59 for one at stumps on day three.
Pakistan lost five wickets for 35 runs to be 9/248, before tailenders Umar Gul (38 not out) and Mohammad Asif (29) hit out against the new ball to get their side to 301 all out.
Australia worked so hard to take wickets, and declined to enforce the follow-on. Watson fell for one in the second over of the Australian second innings, but in-form top-order stars Simon Katich (33 not out) and Ricky Ponting (25 not out) cruised to stumps. (ANI)
- Ishant Sharma inspires India fight back in Mohali Test - Oct 04, 2010
- Pak suffers big blow ahead of Sydney Test, Mohammed Aamer out with groin injury - Jan 02, 2010
- Australia openers set tone on day one of Boxing Day Test against Pakistan - Dec 26, 2009
- Yadav's maiden fifer gives India something to cheer (Second Lead) - Jan 14, 2012
- Australia end day three at 50/3, lead by 382 runs - Jan 26, 2012
- Pak still needs 335 to avoid series whitewash against Australia - Jan 17, 2010
- Chasing 216 for win, India 55 for 4 in Mohali test - Oct 04, 2010
- Hussey leads Australia's fightback on day two of Ashes opener - Nov 26, 2010
- England bowlers decimate Australia on day one of Adelaide Ashes Test - Dec 03, 2010
- India staring at third big defeat in Australia (Roundup) - Jan 14, 2012
- Aussies take massive lead against Pak in Melbourne Test - Dec 28, 2009
- Pak lose quick wickets as Oz on course to record 12th straight Test win - Jan 15, 2010
- Losing toss at Headingly a blessing in disguise: Butt - Jul 22, 2010
- Asif, Sami rip through Australia in Sydney Test - Jan 03, 2010
- Scoreboard: India vs. Australia, Day Four, Fourth Test - Jan 27, 2012
Tags: ahmed, bellerive, butt, clean sweep, collapse, eye series, hobart, mohammad asif, pacers, pitch, ricky, salman, shoaib malik, simon katich, stumps, third test, umar gul, watson, whitewash, wickets
