Centuries elude but Australia power ahead

Shane Watson and Simon Katich narrowly missed centuries as Australia reached a commanding 305 for 3 on the opening day of the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne.

Updated on: Dec 26, 2009, 23:19:41 IST

Agencies | By HT Correspondent, Melbourne

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Shane Watson and Simon Katich narrowly missed centuries as Australia reached a commanding 305 for 3 on the opening day of the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne.

When skipper Ricky Ponting won the toss and chose to bat Australia’s openers had a good chance to dig in against a Pakistan bowling attack that had a combined 26 Tests under the belt.

Mohammad Asif and left-armer Mohammad Aamer applied the pressure early on created chances, but inexperienced seamer Abdur Rauf could not keep up the pressure once the openers had seen off the new ball.

Watson (93) was involved in a farcical run out that resulted in him and Katich being stranded at the same end, ending the first-wicket stand on 182. Katich (98) fell soon after, cutting to point.

Ponting made an entertaining half-century but fell towards the end of play, leaving Mike Hussey and nightwatchman Nathan Hauritz to close out the day.

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