Ponting, Clarke score centuries by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Ground:	Bellerive Oval, Hobart
Scorecard:	Australia v Pakistan
Player:	RT Ponting, MJ Clarke
Event:	Pakistan in Australia 2009/10

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DateLine: 14th January 2010

 

The first day of the third Test ended in Australia's favour as the hosts ended day against Pakistan at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart on a strong 302/3, with skipper Ricky Ponting and his deputy Michael Clarke hitting centuries.

 

Ponting made an unbeaten 137 in 240 balls with 17 boundaries, while Clarke made an unbeaten 111 in 223 balls with 11 boundaries. The two added 231 runs for the fourth wicket. For Pakistan, Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif took a wicket apiece for 50 and 68 runs respectively.

 

The Test started with Ponting winning the toss and electing to bat. But Asif drew first blood for Pakistan in the seventh over when he trapped Simon Katich plumb in front of the wicket. Umar Gul then had Shane Watson caught by Imran Farhat to reduce Australia to 52/2 and soon the hosts looked in a spot of bother when Aamer had Michael Hussey caught behind by Sarfraz Ahmed to put them at 71/3.

 

After the shaky start, Ponting and Clarke first stabilised the innings and then once they got familiar with the pitch and the bowling the pair opened up to reach their respective centuries.