Australia have Pakistan on the mat at MCG

A skipper declaring the match's first innings at 454 for five is an uncommon sight. Usually, he tries to shut out the opposition by declaring only in excess of 550 on Day 2 of thier first Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground.

A skipper declaring the match's first innings at 454 for five is an uncommon sight. Usually, he tries to shut out the opposition by declaring only in excess of 550 on Day 2 of thier first Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday.

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But such has been Ricky Ponting's faith in his bowlers and estimation of Pakistan's batting that he didn't mind calling his batsmen back even as they had three quality batsmen and a decent tail waiting to bat.

His bowlers didn't let him down and after the second day of the first Test, Pakistan were tottering at 109 for four, still needing 146 to avoid the follow on. The Australians began well with Michael Hussey hitting 82 and nightwatchman Nathan Hauritz rubbing salt into the wounds of the visitors with 75.

The Pakistani batsmen were guilty of not scoring quickly. The Aussies kept probing at them.

Brief scores: Australia 1st innings 454/5 dec (Hussey 82, Hauritz 75)

Pakistan 1st innings 109/4.