Australia vs Pakistan Cricket Live: Second Test, day 4 at the MCG, Melbourne

• 5:28pm

That's it for today

We'll sign off now, stay tuned for our reports on today and news from the dressing rooms up online shortly. Rohan Connolly signing off here from Blog Central. We'll see you tomorrow morning from 9.45am for a 10am start to play. 

• 5:16pm

Smith on potential result

The Australian skipper has conceded it will be tough to get a result in this Test with time lost to rain and because of a pitch was has been a batting paradise and isn't breaking up, thus offering little help to the spinners.

• 5:01pm

STUMPS: Australia 6/465 (Smith 100 no, Starc 7 no)

SUMMARY: Again rain has intervened just as things were getting interesting. While Khawaja fell for his second 97 of the summer, Peter Handscomb's rich vein of form continued, another half-century clocked up in brisk time before he was out. Steve Smith batted on steadily, eventually bringing up his 16th Test ton just before the rains came. But while he flourished, neither Nic Maddinson nor Matthew Wade did their Test cases any favours with just 22 and nine respectively. The heavens then opened, and despite taking an early tea, there was never really any chance of a resumption. The ball remains in Australia's court in terms of pursuing a result, but with a series lead of 1-0, you wouldn't think Smith will take any undue risk here setting Pakistan a gettable target. 

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• 4:52pm

Play abandoned

And as we feared, that's it for play today, and so with it, any chance of a result. A second storm front lashed Melbourne and the MCG and umpires officially called it a day a few minutes ago.

• 4:06pm

Rain again

Starting to come down again, think we're in a bit of trouble in terms of further play. We'll keep you posted with any updates but keep the comments coming.

• 3:52pm

Weather update

No closer to starting again after a very heavy downpour, heavy enough to have caused some flash flooding in nearby suburbs like South Melbourne. Rain has stopped for now but reports are there's another heavy band of rain not far away. We'll keep you posted. And don't forget our comments section, always open for business!

• 3:33pm

Effing Queensland! Go back to Queensland, will ya. #TropicalMelbourne

— Tony Tea (@AfterGrogBlog) December 29, 2016

• 3:05pm

Not looking good

The heaviest rain of the week has just hit the @MCG! #AUSvPAK #BoxingDayTest #9WWOS pic.twitter.com/kxT4daYA6R

— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) December 29, 2016

• 3:03pm

The radar

Weatherzone: Melbourne radar

 

• 2:58pm

TEA: Australia 6/465 (Smith 100no, Starc 7no)

SUMMARY: Shortened session again, Australia adding 70 for the loss of two wickets. The lead is only 22 with four wickets in hand, with Smith bringing up a superb ton, but Maddinson and Wade not doing their Test cases any favours. Rain descending now, despite what the commentators are saying reckon you can you just about write your own ticket on the prospect of a result. We'll see you back here shortly. 

• 2:53pm

We're off for bad light

Reckon there's been some over-officiousness going on in this game. Sure, it's getting gloomy, but we have floodlights and the batsman are happy to go on. In any case, umpires Gould and Ravi have decided it's not safe enough, and we're heading off. Looks like there will be an early tea.

• 2:51pm

100 for Smith!

There it is! On 97, Smith drives Sohail through the covers. Doesn't go all the way but he gets three, and that's the ton! It comes from 168 balls with nine boundaries.

• 2:49pm

Weather issues again?

Those blue skies have disappeared in a hurry and there's a thick bank of cloud which looks like it's going to open up sooner than later. It's got dark quickly. Dark enough for the umpires to confer about the light. We play on, though.

• 2:45pm

Starc off mark with six!

Good way to get going, the left-handed plonks his front foot down the track and belts Yasir about 10 rows into the stand over long-on! 

• 2:43pm

Azhar appears OK after being hit to head

"He is standing, he is going to be tested for concussion I'm sure." - Slats.#AUSvPAK | https://t.co/IXovTqhuAo pic.twitter.com/FwO7ZFGKRB

— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) December 29, 2016

• 2:39pm

WICKET!

Wade's gone! Flashes at one outside off from Sohail and succeeds only in getting a healthy edge which takes comfortably at first slip. Like Maddinson, that's not going to do his cause much good either. Australia now 6/454.

• 2:28pm

French cut for four

Inside edge from Smith off Sohail passes between the stumps and the keeper, and he's on to 94. That's also the 450 up for Australia. 

• 2:27pm

The crazy thing is that Azhar Ali did everything short leg fielders are meant to do. They're taught to duck towards the ball. #AUSvPAK

— Tom Morris (@tommorris32) December 29, 2016

• 2:26pm

Wow, that hurts

Rank long-hop from Yasir, Wade shapes up and pulls it with everything and it smashes straight into Azhar Ali at short-leg. He's got the helmet on and ducks, but it smashes him right on the top and he goes down immediately. Medical staff have come out, they've checked him out and are now taking him off the field for a better look. He's walking off unassisted which is a good sign. Incidentally, the rebound from the helmet flew to short fine leg, but that's not out, it's a dead ball.

• 2:18pm

Australia take the lead

Sohail on to replace Wahab, and a first ball loosener is dispatched by Smith to the mid-wicket boundary. Takes another single, and Australia has now moved into the black at 5/444. That's 1000 Test runs in the calendar year for Smith, too.