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Australia v Pakistan live cricket: Boxing Day Test, day one

Rohan Connolly
Jackson Bird picks up the wicket of Misbah-ul-Haq after a smart catch at short-leg by Nic Maddinson.
Jackson Bird picks up the wicket of Misbah-ul-Haq after a smart catch at short-leg by Nic Maddinson. Photo: Getty Images

That's all for today

We'll wrap it up there, thanks for your company on what unfortunately was an abbreviated Boxing Day. Rohan Connolly signing out here at Blog Central, we'll see you back here in the morning around 9.30am for hopefully a 10am resumption. Have a good night, everyone.

Stay tuned

We'll have a full wrap of today's play (well all two sessions of it) very shortly, so stick around. 

what a shot!

SUMMARY Pakistan 4/142 (Azhar 66no, Shafiq 4no)

STUMPS: Well that was a disappointing way to end what was turning into an entertaining Boxing Day of cricket, Pakistan 4/142 when rain forced an early tea, from which players never returned. Pakistan batted and started well, if cautiously, Nathan Lyon making the breakthrough with just his third bal of the day.

Hazlewood had Babar caught in slips from the last ball before lunch.

The visitors began the second session well, both Azhar and Younis looking good, but Jackson Bird got the breakthrough, a lovely ball knocking back Younis's off peg. He struck for a second time shortly after, skipper Misbah getting an inside edge on to his pad, and Nic Maddinson at short-leg diving forward, just picking up the ball in his left hand before it hit the turf. Azhar remained unbeaten on 66 as the rain came right on tea, and at 4/142, this innings is delicately poised. 

Mitch Starc and Josh Hazlewood were tight today with 0/25 from 11 and the latter with a terrific return of 1/15 from 13, but much credit to Bird, who bowled a real jaffa to get Younis then followed it up with a second pole. 

Shafiq was Pakistan's hero in Brisbane, and they'll need a repeat of that you'd think if they're to end up with a decent first innings tally, but Azhar would be hopeful also of turning that 66 into a ton. There' a lot of responsibility on that pair's shoulders now.

 

Bad news, everyone..

This will keep you hanging on ...

A cat playing a piano whilst waiting for rain to clear.
A cat playing a piano whilst waiting for rain to clear. Photo: AP

Yes, it really happens ... 

 

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Pot Black, anyone?

Weather update

Disappointing news. No improvement here. Rain still steady, crowd thinning out, too. Even if it were to stop immediately, we're at least 30-40 minutes from a resumption. But don't go away, our comments are still open and waiting for your input!

Planning ahead

We're not halfway through this series against Pakistan, but as our man Jon Pierik reports, Aussie skipper Steve Smith's thoughts are already turning to the tour of India in February.

Some nice touches pre-game today...

The national anthem takes place as an Indigenous mural is taken down the stand by fans.
The national anthem takes place as an Indigenous mural is taken down the stand by fans. Photo: Getty Images
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This is getting out of hand!

RIP to the following ...

If you've heard today's sad news about George Michael's death and think you've been hearing a lot of similar sad tales this year, you're not wrong. Here's a list of the people to whom we've bid a sad farewell in 2016.

Hmmm ... no good

Another good Boxing Day crowd

Into the second session, today's crowd had crept up to 61,648, already surpassing that for the past two Boxing Day tests against Pakistan. The biggest crowd ever for a Boxing Day Test was just three years ago, when Australia's Ashes demolition of England drew 91,112 for the first day.

Mark Nicholas update

In case you hadn't heard, Channel 9 commentator Mark Nicholas has fallen ill during play and been taken for treatment. Here's some details from our guys on the spot, Jon Pierik and Andrew Wu.

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Still raining

Not going to start on time after tea here. The rain has got heavier since they left the field and still going. Doesn't look enough to end proceedings but looks like we might have at least another 20-30 minute delay. Stick with us, though, we'll keep you updated. 

what a shot!

TEA: Pakistan 4/142 (Azhar 66 no, Shafiq 4 no)

There's a bit of drizzle around now, and as it gets just a little heavier, the umpires have decided to take tea about five minutes early as the light covers come on. Probably a smart call. Great session for Pakistan early, but Bird struck back firmly with a terrific spell, removing Younis then the skipper Misbah. We'll see you back here in about 15 minutes or so.

Four icon Live Sports Day icons cricket

Azhar steps on the gas

More streaky runs to Bird, Azhar getting the edge, past slips and down to third man for four more runs. He's into the 60s. But nothing streak about the next shot, clips Bird off his pads through mid-wicker for another boundary.

Some details on Mark Nicholas

Here's some early information about the Channel 9 commentator falling ill. We'll keep you updated.

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