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Looks like there is a weather front hanging around for the next day or two, so the Pakistanis will have to make the running if they want to set up a result in this game. I think the Aussies will not push it given that they are one nil up in the series. It has been a solid batting performance by Pakistan, Azhar is very hard to dismiss and the partnership between him and Shafiq has been pretty much risk free. The Aussies have bowled well without being too dangerous. Starc has been a bit off in this game I thought. Bird has been the pick of them, his delivery that got Younus was a ripper.

Azza Ali approching his 200 before lunch.Can Pakistan put on a show,outstanding batting.Sohail Khan 65 off (65) balls with 6 sixes.The first session was 100 minutes for 123 runs.The last 10 overs 88runs.

One has to think Aust bowling attack aint as good as it is hyped up to be.....be interesting to see how the Aust batsmen go in their innings....400 should more than keep this game dead....anything less and the Aussies will be hoping for some of that melbourne inclement weather me thinks

Grassy wrote: Can anybody tell me what the hell the fanatics are up to with the new found adulation of Lyon,calling him Gary?

True Bay 13 inhabitants wouldn't do such a silly thing,I'm sure.

He still won't terrorise the world's best batsmen.Maye a declaration might give him a chance to put some pressure on Pakistan,if they're trying to chase quick runs In the 2nd Innings.

Gary Lyon (ex c9) had someone else polishing his balls.

Weather looks as though it is set fair for the last two days, so there will be 104 scheduled overs each day. There are a few ways that there could be a result in this test. One option could be that Pakistan take quick wickets tomorrow and bowl the Aussies out short of the 443. Then Pakistan could score quick runs in the 2nd innings and ask Australia to bat most of the 5th day. Alternatively if the Aussies can get in again tomorrow and bat for most of the day they could get around 600 and then put Pakistan under pressure on Day 5. I still think the draw is a strong favourite.
The bonus of Warner is that he gets his runs quickly and so the team can catch up with the game even if the opposition get a big score. The Pakistanis helped him a lot today with some wayward bowling and poor fielding.

Not too sure Wade's purpose.....average keeper, only in side to strengthen batting yet has done little with the bat since recalled...he is obviously not going to India as the main keeper because he would struggle technically on their bunsen burners....couldnt be trusted for the T20 world cup there earlier this year so why in the longer format....surely Nevill needs to come in....keeps better and is making the same amount of runs...though the Big Bash isnt a good sighter for test cricket, especialy with the Sydney test so close.....though besides Paine who can bat, not too sure who else the selectors can turn too.....Paine cant even get into the Tassie sheffield side tho.....Whiteman perhaps?

It would be putting a lot of pressure on Handscombe, who is a young player establishing himself as a batsman in the Australian team. I'm with freezin, it may be time to bite the bullet with a young keeper like Whiteman. Otherwise I would rather see Nevill back in the team rather than persisting with Wade

I guess trial out Handscombe as a keeper on the international stage in the ODI format...but yeah big ask at this stage to ask him to keep and bat...especially at 5...let the kid develop as a quality number 5 batsman at the test level.....still don't think Maddison is a number 6 or even a test batsmen.....geez those NSW commentators loved him....willing him no end....touch wood Lynn stays fit or Head keeps developing....though I reckon NSW boy Patterson is next in line....

Freezin wrote: I guess trial out Handscombe as a keeper on the international stage in the ODI format...but yeah big ask at this stage to ask him to keep and bat...especially at 5...let the kid develop as a quality number 5 batsman at the test level.....still don't think Maddison is a number 6 or even a test batsmen.....geez those NSW commentators loved him....willing him no end....touch wood Lynn stays fit or Head keeps developing....though I reckon NSW boy Patterson is next in line....

Geez dont the NSW spruikers make every excuse under the sun for their boy Maddo Freeze fark Slater was even talking up the pies he bowls!
Whiteman has to be the long term keeper although a tour of India & an Ashes series to come they will stay the safe options of Wade or Nevill.
Nathan "Niiiice Gaaaarry" Lyon is another who must be under the pump although our spinning stocks are farely bare im afraid.

A great day of Test cricket by the Aussies today to roll the Pakis by an innings after they had declared for 443 in their first dig.
Mitch Starc with both bat and ball was the star of the show with good support from the other bowlers who all chipped in and Smith, Warner, Khawaja, Starc & Handscomb with the bat in our only innings.