Melbourne, December 26: A third century stand in as many matches between openers Shane Watson and Simon Katich put Australia in a position of command over Pakistan in the first Test at the MCG.
Although contrasting in styles, the NSW pair batted untroubled in the second session on day one to have Australia 0-177 at tea against a Pakistan team that was fraying at the edges.
Watson was in sight of his maiden century in an assured innings of 90 not out, while Katich (77 not out) built strongly after weathering some early troubles before lunch, continuing his excellent year.
The pair’s big partnership followed stands of 174 in the second Test against the West Indies in Adelaide and 132 in the third in Perth and continued the outstanding union they developed in England.
In 11 innings opening since they first batted together in the third Ashes Test at Edgbaston, Katich and Watson have scored 836 runs at an average of 83.60.
The pair began Boxing Day cautiously and were a relatively sedate 0-73 at lunch, but lifted their scoring in the middle part of the second session – their third 50 came from 77 balls – before dropping anchor before tea.
But their partnership provided Australia with a great launchpad in perfect conditions against an inexperienced Pakistan attack that lacked sustained pressure and badly lacked support from its fielders.
Umar Akmal dropped Katich on a straight-forward chance in the gully off Mohammad Aamer’s bowing when on eight, and Misbah-ul-Haq dropped a sitter off Watson when on 43, from Saeed Ajmal’s doosra before lunch.
No chances went down in the second session, but Pakistan leaked runs through their inability to prevent the Australians pinching singles from defensive bunts or straight-forward misfields.
Watson’s knock contained 11 fours, from fluent drives straight down the ground and through cover, while Katich grafted ones and twos, although he took successive boundaries, one square and one straight, from deliveries from Abdur Rauf.
Katich narrowly avoided a run-out and edged a Rauf delivery short of second slip early in the day, but the only worry in the second session was Watson’s, for a leg before shout against Mohammad Asif.
Umpire Billy Doctrove ruled not out, but it was referred to the third umpire on Pakistan’s challenge.
But the original decision stuck when video technology showed there was enough doubt in Watson’s favour, as he got forward and the ball struck him high on the pad.
——Agencies