Cricket: Aussies fighting to stay in test

An inspirational spell from crowd favourite Doug Bollinger yesterday came too late to stop Pakistan claiming a 204-run lead on the first innings on day two in the second cricket test at the SCG.

But Bollinger bravely predicted Australia's chances of saving the game were still good.

Pakistan reached 9-331 at stumps in reply to Australia's 127.

The tourists lost seven wickets in the final session and 5-54 against the second new ball with Bollinger (3-70), Shane Watson (2-40) and Mitchell Johnson (2-64) leading Australia's bowling attack.

Danish Kaneria was two not out with Mohammad Asif yet to score.

Openers Imran Farhat (53) and Salman Butt (71) shared a valuable partnership of 109, showing the Australians how to bat for long periods on a difficult wicket.

"We just have to be as patient as they were," Bollinger said.

"If we bat for a certain number of overs and get a good total then we will be fine.

"They were two-for at tea [2-190] and it was good to get them nine down at stumps. It was a great fightback and it was good the guys never gave up."

Peter Siddle claimed Faisal Iqbal (27) at 3-205 when Watson took a brilliant overhead catch on the point boundary.

Pakistan's hopes of a massive total started to wobble when captain Mohammad Yousuf (46) edged a rising ball from Johnson to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin.

A fired-up Bollinger took the second new ball and struck in three successive overs.

Crucially, the big left-armer removed the dangerous Umar Akmal lbw for 49. West Indian umpire Billy Doctrove reversed his original not-out decision after Australia called for a video referral.

Bollinger also had Misbah-ul-Haq (11) caught behind and Kamran Akmal (14) holed out to deep point.

Watson removed Umar Gul (12) caught on the boundary and Mohammad Sami (13) as Haddin took his fifth catch of the innings.

Pakistan's Mohammad Asif took 6-41 on Sunday after Australia captain Ricky Ponting made the controversial decision to bat first on a green-top pitch on a rain-affected opening day.

Bollinger said the Australians, who lead the three-match series 1-0, were backing Ponting "110 per cent" regarding the decision to bat.

"I've never seen that much grass on it but it is good for a change and I think it is good for cricket."

- AAP