Ponting, Clarke pulverise Pakistan

Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke struck unbeaten centuries on the opening day of the third Test against Pakistan on Thursday.

Updated on: Jan 14, 2010, 23:28:43 IST

Agencies | By HT Correspondent, Hobart

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Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke struck unbeaten centuries on the opening day of the third Test against Pakistan on Thursday. Their effort helped Australia recover from initial setbacks and finish the day at comfortable 302 for 3.

Pakistan managed to get rid of openers Simon Katich and Shane Watson early on. The dismissal of Mike Hussey soon after with just 71 runs on the board put them in the driver's seat.

The visitor's might have fancied their chances once they had seen the back of Katich, Watson and Hussey as Ponting and Clarke had had a pretty ordinary series so far. The duo, however, shrugged off their poor form and stitched together an unbeaten 231-run partnership for the fourth wicket to give Australia a complete control. Ponting, in the process, also completed his 39th century.

Ponting got a reprieve early on when Mohammad Aamer dropped a simple catch at deep square leg. Meanwhile, Younis Khan was included in Pakistan's ODI squad although he won't be captaining the side.

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