Australia v Pakistan 3rd Test, Day 3 - 5 Talking Points

Australia continued their dominance against Pakistan and ended the 3rd day’s play of the final Test at Sydney in a commanding position. Only 52 overs were bowled in the day’s play after rain relented play for the whole 1st session and a part of the 2nd session. Beginning the day at 126/2, Pakistan lost Azhar Ali through a careless run out and since then wickets kept tumbling at regular intervals. From 152/2, Pakistan were reduced to 244/7.

Despite wickets tumbling at the other end, Younis kept going and went on to register his 34th Test century to push the visitor’s score to 271/8 in 91 overs. Nathan Lyon was the chief destructor as far as the Aussies were concerned and finished the day’s play with impressive figures of 3/98 in 27 overs. Here are 5 Talking points from the 3^rd day’s play at Sydney

1. Morning session washed out

The 1st session of Day 3 of the 3rd and the final Test at Sydney was washed out due to rain and play resumed at 2:35 local time. The rain had relented in the morning session and it the inspection time for the umpires were around 10:38 but just as they were about to enter the playing arena the heavens opened up again and it started to rain. Though the rain wasn’t too heavy but the umpires remained undecided until the rain relented completely.

The rain gods went on playing hide and seek throughout the day and it was frustrating from the point of view of both the teams. Finally, we were able to witness some action in the afternoon session and a total of 52 overs were bowled during that time.

Also read- AUS v PAK, 3rd Test, Day 3 Review: Pakistan on the verge of following on despite Younis’ vigil

2. Azhar Ali’s run out

After losing two early wickets Pakistan recovered very well and finished the 2^nd day’s play at 126/2 with Azhar Ali and Younis Khan in the middle. Both looked solid and defied the Aussie bowlers with disdain. After failing to make enough runs Younis was finally among the runs and Azhar continued from where he left in Melbourne.

In the 54th over an uncharacteristic lapse in concentration from the duo cost them badly as Azhar Ali was run out by Mitchell Starc. After surviving twice yesterday he wasn’t the 3rd time lucky. It was ridiculous running from the duo. Younis flicked a delivery of Nathan Lyon towards the mid-wicket away from the fielder and called for a single. Azhar wasn’t looking at his partner and was late to react to the call.

Despite this, the duo would have made it if they would have taken iff full throttle but their was some stuttering and stumbling and Mitchell Starc fielding at mid on ran towards his right and rocketed the throw at the hands of the keeper. Stand in wicketkeeper Peter Handscomb completed an easy run-out.

3. Mathew Wade diarrhoea

Aussie wicketkeeper Mathew Wade fell ill after keeping for only 10 minutes on the 3rd day of the final Test and had to be replaced by Peter Handscomb behind the wickets. Wade returned to team hotel after feel nausea. After rain relented play for a long time, Wade could keep for only 2 overs before he left the ground.

“Matthew felt ill this morning and has had nausea and diarrhoea,” Australia’s team doctor Peter Brukner said.

The doctor said that Wade has received medical attention and his condition will be constantly scrutinised.”He’s received medication for his symptoms but is still feeling unwell. After taking the field he realised he was not well enough to continue, hence his decision to come off. He’s returning to the hotel to rest and will hopefully recover by tomorrow morning. We will monitor his condition.”

4. Misbah-ul-Haq fails yet again

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq’s woeful run continued as he yet again failed to make an impact and was dismissed for only 18 runs by Nathan Lyon. This was the 10^th consecutive innings that Misbah hasn’t scored a fifty for his nation and his dip in form has raised eyebrows about his selection. Former Aussie captain Ian Chappel criticised him severely and asked the PCB to sack him and allow some younger member to take over.

Misbah- who looked good for his 18 went for a slog sweep but couldn’t connect it properly. Jackson Bird stationed in the deep mid wicket region accepted the catch gleefully. We are all aware of how Misbah managed to re-unite the team after the spot-fixing debacle in 2010 and he deserves special applause for that. But despite his credentials, perhaps the time has come for him to call it quits and leave with respect.

5. Younis Khan’s brilliant century

Veteran Pakistan middle-order batsman Younis Khan finally showed his class in the final test at Sydney by scoring a brilliant century which had class written all over it. After failing to get going in his last few assignments, the experienced batsman looked in ominous touch and struck some delightful shots throughout his unbeaten knock of 136.

Younis struck some magnificent drives of Mitchell Starc later in the 2nd day and continued to play with intent when play eventually began in the 3rd day. He looked completely settled in the crease and found the gaps perfectly. He slog swept Nathan Lyon on quite a few occasions and succeeded on most of them. His unbeaten innings was constructed with 14 hits to the fence and a solitary maximum.