Hosts post 187-3 at stumps on rain-interrupted Day One, thanks to Marnus Labuschagne’s gritty 44 not out
Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne plays a shot against Pakistan in Melbourne yesterday. Pic/AFP
A stubborn Marnus Labuschagne weathered a storm to help steer Australia to 187-3 on a rain-disrupted opening day of the second Test in Melbourne Tuesday against a probing and resilient Pakistan attack. At stumps, he was unbeaten on a glacial 44 off 120 balls and Travis Head was not out on nine after nearly three hours’ play were lost to rain.
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Pakistan’s bowlers found plenty of movement in the overcast conditions and were rewarded with the wickets of David Warner (38), Usman Khawaja (42) and Steve Smith (26). But a patient Labuschagne was immovable as the hosts look to seal the three-Test series after thumping the visitors by 360 runs in Perth. “It was a good day as a bowling unit, a bit unlucky that we haven’t got more wickets,” said Pakistan paceman Hasan Ali, who removed Khawaja.
“I think we are a bit ahead of them and looking forward to tomorrow.”
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Pakistan captain Shan Masood won the toss and opted to field first on a pitch suited to the seamers. Spearheaded by Shaheen Shah Afridi, they bowled a good length and found early swing. “[We are] okay. Another wicket less would have been great, but credit to the way Pakistan bowled. They bowled unbelievable channels,” said Warner. “But I think going into tomorrow [Wednesday] we’re in a pretty good position.
Anything with a four in front of it would be great, but it is going to be a tough grind.” Warner, who made 164 in the first innings at Perth in his farewell Test series, was dropped on two by Abdullah Shafique, who put down a regulation catch at second slip.
Brief scores
Australia 187-3 (Marnus Labuschagne 44*, U Khawaja 42, D Warner 38; A Salman 1-5, H Ali 1-28) v Pakistan
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