Pakistan surge again with Labuschagne, Smith wickets as match hangs within the stability

Lunch Australia 199 for 4 (Labuschagne 60, Khawaja 47, Salman 2-27) path Pakistan 313 by 114 runs

Travis Head and in-form Mitchell Marsh survived a tough 20-minute interval earlier than lunch with the match evenly poised. Australia can be eying a lead on a SCG floor that’s anticipated to deteriorate because the match wears on with the increasing tough patches set to be significantly useful for spin.

Retiring opener David Warner and Usman Khawaja have been the one wickets to fall on a shortened day two decreased to solely 46 overs as a consequence of unhealthy gentle and rain.

Resuming at 116 for two, Australia made sluggish progress towards disciplined bowling from Hamza and veteran seamer Hasan Ali. Much like on a shortened day two, it was an attritional contest with Hasan and Hamza concentrating on bowling a nagging line outdoors off stump as they produced 5 consecutive maidens.

Smith was at risk of being labored over by Hamza with one supply seaming again wickedly and nearly hitting his off stump. But he broke the shackles with a beautiful cowl drive as Smith and Labuschagne then took a liking to specialist spinner Sajid Khan, who had minimal influence, as runs began to circulate.

Quick Aamer Jamal sought a short-ball method as he continued from his plan towards the batters earlier than play had stopped on day two. With the slips taken out and a slew of fielders on the leg-side, Jamal bent his again and bowled a vigorous spell however was thwarted.

Smith, who has struggled for a while towards short-pitched bowling, did have a slender escape when he nearly hit to brief midwicket.

Looking to shrug off a lean 2023, the place he averaged 35 in Test cricket, Labuschagne was affected person however assured and reached his half-century with an outstanding pull shot as he handled Hasan’s modest tempo with ease.

There was a delay for a number of minutes after Smith complained a couple of small piece of rolled-up black tape that was on the white cover behind the sightscreen.

Once a groundsman cleared the thing, a extra content material Smith used his ft to membership Salman down the bottom in a uncommon signal of aggression.

Pakistan reverted their ways when Hamza re-entered the assault and the change of plan labored when Smith hit straight to cowl and he appeared in disbelief on the pitch earlier than trudging off.

There was a lot anticipation over Hamza reprising his battle with Head having clear bowled him throughout the Boxing Day Test with a shocking in-swinging full supply. He tried to duplicate that ball, however was thwarted this time by Head as Hamza took a tumble in his comply with via.

Having dismissed Warner with a pointy supply that had chunk and switch, Salman was surprisingly held again on day three however made an influence with the wicket of Labuschagne because the match hung within the stability.

The third day of the standard New Year’s Test is devoted to Glenn McGrath’s late spouse, Jane, who died of breast most cancers in 2008.