Cricket: Ponting drop proves costly

Australia captain Ricky Ponting slashed a ball to extra cover as Pakistan keeper Sarfraz Ahmed looks on. Photo / Getty Images

HOBART - Bloodied captain Ricky Ponting and classy deputy Michael Clarke combined for a record partnership for Australia to rub salt into Pakistan's fresh wounds in the third test yesterday.

The home side went to stumps on the opening day in complete control at 302-2, with Ponting unbeaten on 137 and Clarke 111 not out.

Following the misery of their SCG capitulation in the second test, Pakistan dropped Ponting before he scored, letting the struggling Australian top-order off the hook.

After winning the toss and batting, they were in trouble at 3-71 in the morning session when Clarke joined his battling skipper at the crease.

Their unbeaten stand of 231 broke Australia's fourth-wicket record against Pakistan.

Spilt on the fine-leg boundary by Mohammad Aamer off his fourth ball, Ponting punished the tourists by producing his 39th test century and second on his Hobart home ground.

The Tasmanian crowd were in raptures twice for their state hero as Ponting was incorrectly awarded a six when he hit Danish Kaneria down the ground when on 94.

Three balls after the mistake was corrected, a jubilant Ponting celebrated with a sweep for two.

In contrast, Clarke was the quiet achiever with his chanceless century of high quality almost creeping up on the Bellerive Oval fans. He brought up his 13th hundred off 188 balls with 11 fours and also passed the 4000 test run milestone in his 58th test.

Pakistan appeared clueless for the second half of the day as Ponting and Clarke dominated the dead rubber.

The pair batted almost 70 overs together as Mohammad Yousuf again failed to inspire his troops.

In the overcast morning conditions, Pakistan's pace attack had carried on their fine form from the first-innings in Sydney by dismissing Simon Katich (11), Shane Watson (29) and Mike Hussey (6).

Katich was dismissed leg before by Asif after Pakistan correctly called for an umpiring referral after a long mid-pitch conference between Yousuf, bowler Mohammad Asif and debutant wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed.

The series leading run-scorer, Watson again looked a million dollars before he cut Gul to gully just after the drinks break. Aamer found Hussey's defensive edge and provided Sarfraz with his first catch in test cricket in the 21st over.

- AAP