Mitchell Marsh’s quest for a Boxing Day Test century at the Melbourne Cricket Ground was dashed in a dramatic fashion, thanks to Pakistan’s inconsistent slips fielding. Just one powerful hit away from the milestone, Marsh fell victim to a spectacular one-handed catch by Salman Ali Agha, an irony not lost on the spectators given an earlier missed opportunity. Marsh, on 20 at the time, had edged a delivery to the slips, only to be reprieved by a fumbled catch, much to the dismay of the Pakistani team.
Australia’s innings on the third day took a turn for the better after this incident. Recovering from a precarious 4-16, they finished at 6-187, a significant lead of 241 runs. The day’s play highlighted not just the individual struggles and triumphs but also the larger battle between bat and ball. Steve Smith, for instance, grappled to find his form, his half-century coming off 153 balls, marking it as one of his slowest in a notable Test career.
Pakistan, now facing the daunting task of achieving a record-breaking fourth-innings score at the MCG, might rue their missed chances. Their slip in the field could have significantly altered the game’s dynamics, potentially easing their path to breaking a long-standing losing streak in Australia. Their failure to seize crucial moments was exemplified by Marsh’s escape at 20, a mistake that allowed him to build a substantial innings and partnership with Smith.
The day wasn’t just about missed opportunities; it witnessed some commendable bowling from Pakistan’s pace attack and a resilient Australian batting response. The contest ebbed and flowed, with Pakistan initially appearing dominant, especially after a dismal start by Australia post-lunch. However, the tide turned following the crucial dropped catch, with Australia capitalising on their second chance.
Pakistan’s cricket, often marked by its unpredictability, was on full display, with the team’s fortunes oscillating rapidly. While Smith struggled to find his rhythm, Marsh counter-attacked effectively, his aggressive batting contrasting with Smith’s more measured approach. The duo’s partnership was crucial in steering Australia to a commanding position, despite some close calls and challenging bowling from Pakistan.
The day’s play also saw some record-breaking performances, with Pat Cummins achieving his 10th five-wicket haul in Tests and Alex Carey equaling a record for Test stumpings in a calendar year. These individual feats, combined with the broader narrative of the game, made for a compelling day of Test cricket, setting the stage for an intriguing contest in the days ahead.
NRMA Insurance Test series v Pakistan
- First Test: Australia won by 360 runs
- Second Test: December 26-30, MCG
- Third Test: January 3-7, SCG
Australia squad: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Steve Smith, Mitch Starc, David Warner
Pakistan squad: Shan Masood (c), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Saud Shakeel and Shaheen Shah Afridi
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