STUMPS: Australia 2/278 (Khawaja 95no, Smith 10no)
SUMMARY: Australia had the better of day three, but that's not to disparage Pakistan's efforts with the bat, adding another 133, Azhar finishing on a magnificent unbeaten 205, and Sohail offering great tail-end support with a very entertaining 65.
The home side certainly didn't muck around when they had their turn at the crease, though, led, as usual, by Dave Warner, who after a scratchy start, really turned it on after the loss of Matt Renshaw. Warner and Usman Khawaja added 198 at a rapid rate, Warner finishing with a superb 144 from just 143 balls. His first Test ton at the MCG was a memorable one.
Khawaja played the support role well to finish an unbeaten 95. Pakistan's bowlers didn't help themselves, either Wahab bowling at a decent clip, but continually over-stepping, which cost him Warner's wicket when the left-hander was bowled off a no-ball. Leg-spinner Yasir took a hammering, too, conceding 97 from 16 overs.
A result? Well, Australia still trails by 165 runs, but if they maintained their current run rate and batted all day on day four, a 200-odd first innings lead could make Pakistan at least a little nervous. Still, it's going to take some very enterprising cricket from both sides to get a result here. That's all from Rohan Connolly here at Blog Central, join us back here tomorrow morning for all the day four action!
Tight last over
Amir has found the spot straight away here. Four dot balls, Khawaja lets the fifth pass. He takes a single, and that's stumps, with Khawaja to face the first ball tomorrow on 95.
Here's his chance
OK, Khawaja has strike. No Yasir, though, who today has taken a pasting. It's pace, it's Amir, so this will be the last over.
Khawaja into the 90s
Well, there's four of them. Lovely sweep to Yasir behind square leg, no chance of being stopped and it races to the rope for four. Flashes again through covers for another boundary! Up to 94. Reckon there's three overs left, he might do it yet!
Sohail back on
Good spell from Wahab, certainly a much better effort than his first stint, and did pick up the wicket of Warner. Sohail back on now, he has 0/35 from 10 overs.
Back to topCan Khawaja get to 100 tonight?
Unlikely, you'd think. He's on 84, perhaps another five overs at most after this one, and the runs have slowed since Warner went out. Australia 2/264.
Decent turnout today on a day that looked it was also going to be ruined by rain....
Official attendance at the 'G for Day 3 of the Test is 25,393 #AUSvPAK
— Melb Cricket Ground (@MCG) December 28, 2016
Smith gets off the mark
Thickish edge to Wahab races along the ground down to third man, that will be another boundary, Australia 2/254.
Few people saying this ... was certainly a close thing!
We sure that wasn't a no-ball to begin with? Didn't look to be much behind the line...😳 #AUSvPAK
— Benny Jones (@benjiman1983) December 28, 2016
Back to topAmazing knock @davidwarner31!! Pure class and goes past 5000 test runs!! 💪🏼👏🏼 #TheRev
— Aaron Finch (@AaronFinch5) December 28, 2016
WICKET!
Review. Warner has a tickle at Wahab down the leg side, it carries through to the keeper, and there's a fair shout for caught behind. Not out, but the Pakistanis have called for a review. Only just a legitimate delivery, too. Snicko shows a little ripple as it passes the glove, there's a tiny hot spot on the glove, and that's enough to persuade the third umpire. He's out! Bit of an anti-climatic end, but what a knock! Warner's 144 came from just 142 balls, with 17 fours and a six.
That's six!
Bang! Huge lofted drive from Warner off Yasir straight into the crowd! Takes him to 137. Just smashing them everywhere!
Superb drive
Khawaja moves into the 70s with a beautiful drive to Yasir, who's looking more and more hapless. The little leggie has now given up 76 runs from just 11 overs. Has the only wicket to fall, but at a fair price!
Lyon under pressure
Meanwhile, Nathan Lyon is under growing pressure to save his spot in the Test team and has been told he must change his line of attack if he is to have success against a Pakistan side playing him off a break, says Jon Pierik
Warner on fire
He's creaming everything now! Takes Wahab for another boundary and moves to 129 from 133 balls! That sort of strike rate would have been unthinkable in Test cricket not all that long ago. But this guy does it all the time!
Back to topAnother setback for Mark Nicholas
The Channel 9 commentator has again taken ill, shortly after his tea time interview with Wasim Akram. Jon Pierik has the latest.
200 is up
Australia go to drinks in a good position, and the runs keeps coming as Warner sweeps Yasir for another boundary. The leggie is taking a hammering today!
Wahab back on
Replacing Amir. Hope he's fixed up those front foot issues!
Beautiful shot!
Decent length from Yasir, but Warner's in great touch now, and just kneels down and with a flourish of the blade sends the ball racing through covers for four more. He's 118 from just 125 balls.
Finally, 50 for Khawaja
Khawaja gets to 50 after a decent wait. Yasir back into the attack replacing Sohail, and first ball Khawaja clips him away for a single. His 50 has come from 88 balls with six boundaries. Now he slashes Yasir between the keeper and slip for another boundary.
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