Live updates from second match of the series at the MCG
Email Jonathan your thoughts or tweet him at @JPHowcroft
9.56am GMT
Just as Pakistan were beginning to open their shoulders Australia jag one back. Babar timed a superb ramp shot off Starc but it doesn’t clear Hazlewood on the third-man fence.
9.54am GMT
30th over: Pakistan 131-1 (Hafeez 66, Babar 30) - Target 221
Faulkner has looked the most likely for Australia and again his changes of pace and cutters take Hafeez out of his comfort zone. Babar’s much more comfortable, nailing a stylish boundary through the covers to keep up the momentum.
9.50am GMT
29th over: Pakistan 130-1 (Hafeez 65, Babar 30) - Target 221
Expensive over for Australia and Mitchell Starc. Fours are conceded in the air over the vacant cordon and through point at catchable height. There’s leaky leg-side runs in amongst that too as Starc alternates over and around the wicket with no success.
That would've been an absolute screamer! #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/8pRVx0kXim
9.44am GMT
28th over: Pakistan 116-1 (Hafeez 58, Babar 23) - Target 221
Faulkner and his lucky dip left-armers return to the attack, prompting questions from commentators about the lack of a frontline spinner in Australia’s XI.
9.40am GMT
27th over: Pakistan 111-1 (Hafeez 55, Babar 22) - Target 221
Starc working up a head of steam but it’s being met in kind by Babar. The batsman thinks he has a certain four but his cover drive right off the screws is fielded superbly by Head. A loose drive is then slashed away to third-man but well away from the solitary slip.
9.37am GMT
26th over: Pakistan 109-1 (Hafeez 54, Babar 21) - Target 221
Cummins continues his toil and it’s not a pretty over. Babar feasts on some rare length with a confident pull after Hafeez milked a three off his pads.
9.33am GMT
9.31am GMT
25th over: Pakistan 101-1 (Hafeez 51, Babar 16) - Target 221
Starc returns as Smith continues his quest for wickets but Hafeez is ready and waiting, tucking one off his pads for four to bring up his 50 and Pakistan’s 100.
9.27am GMT
24th over: Pakistan 97-1 (Hafeez 47, Babar 16) - Target 221
Smith’s stationed a catcher at short mid-on for Cummins but it doesn’t phase Babar who drives forcefully just on the other side of the strip. Pakistan expertly turn three into two with some laboured running. They’ve probably left five to ten runs out there already in this chase because of sloppy running between the wickets.
9.22am GMT
23rd over: Pakistan 92-1 (Hafeez 46, Babar 12) - Target 221
The running repairs continue for Hafeez but he’s toughing it out. And he’ll be delighted with what he sees from the non-striker’s end as Babar times one beautifully off Hazlewood and through midwicket for four.
9.18am GMT
9.17am GMT
#WinViz gives Pakistan a 76.7% chance of winning this game#PredictViz says that Pakistan will reach the target in 45 overs #AUSvPAK
9.16am GMT
22nd over: Pakistan 87-1 (Hafeez 45, Babar 8) - Target 221
It won’t be Marsh, it will be the returning Cummins, but the effect is similar, heavy, length balls that climb on the Pakistan skipper. Hafeez again escapes after the ball smashes into his helmet, this time coming off the shoulder of his bat as he flinched at one that rears at him.
9.11am GMT
21st over: Pakistan 86-1 (Hafeez 44, Babar 8) - Target 221
Hazlewood probing but Pakistan have largely batted sensibly, in the ‘V’, and from the crease, denying him any cheap wickets. Moreover, the lack of swing or seam has prevented him for forcing any. He earns a maiden, now can Marsh join those dots with a ‘W’?
9.08am GMT
9.07am GMT
20th over: Pakistan 86-1 (Hafeez 44, Babar 8) - Target 221
Marsh continues his spell with his strong action and high arm. Again he rushes one through Hafeez who is late on a pull and wears one on his grille. The second time the Pakistan skipper has been struck on his lid this knock, not to mention the damaged finger.
9.03am GMT
19th over: Pakistan 82-1 (Hafeez 44, Babar 5) - Target 221
Smith knows he has to go for wickets so he returns to one of his main men in Hazlewood. His tight line and length fails to jag another wicket.
8.59am GMT
18th over: Pakistan 81-1 (Hafeez 43, Babar 1) - Target 221
Babar finally off the mark after nine deliveries. That precedes a delay in play as Marsh wraps Hafeez on the tip of his right index finger, drawing blood. The bowler extracted some extra, unexpected bounce, and it caught Hafeez a nasty blow.
8.54am GMT
8.52am GMT
17th over: Pakistan 73-1 (Hafeez 40, Babar 0) - Target 221
Faulkner maintaining the stranglehold with four dots, provoking a hoick across the line from Hafeez and the Pakistan skipper gets enough on it to beat the on-side infield and away for four. Risky shot but a pressure relieving one. Australia digging in for a fight here.
68 between Hafeez and Sharjeel is highest opening partnership for Pakistan against Australia in Australia since 2002#PakvAus #AUSvPAK
8.49am GMT
16th over: Pakistan 69-1 (Hafeez 36, Babar 0) - Target 221
The Head experiment lasted one over with Mitch Marsh brought on for his first dart. And MM does what MM does, bowl line and length heavy balls that are hard to get away. Australia finally exerting some pressure on Pakistan, just one run from the last 10 deliveries.
If Babar scores 81 runs today then he'll be fastest to 1000 Odis runs #AUSvPAK
8.45am GMT
15th over: Pakistan 68-1 (Hafeez 35, Babar 0) - Target 221
Babar, averaging 51 in ODIs, joins his skipper at the crease at a vital time. The required run-rate is just 4.3 so Pakistan only have to make sure they don’t allow Australia back into the game to level the series.
8.42am GMT
The breakthrough! Out of nowhere, Faulkner bags Sharjeel. Good line and length from Faulkner has Sharjeel trying to run the ball down to third-man but all he can do is feather a catch behind. Gift for Australia, can they capitalise?
8.40am GMT
8.37am GMT
14th over: Pakistan 64-0 (Hafeez 32, Sharjeel 28) - Target 221
Big moment in the match with Head entering the attack. Will the change of pace provide a greater wicket-taking threat?
8.33am GMT
13th over: Pakistan 53-0 (Hafeez 23, Sharjeel 26) - Target 221
Half-chance for Australia with Wade getting a long way down the leg-side but just short of a gloved pull from Hafeez. The Pakistan skipper makes no mistake later in the over, slapping Cummins behind square leg, taking the ball from the badge on his helmet and giving it the treatment.
8.29am GMT
12th over: Pakistan 47-0 (Hafeez 17, Sharjeel 26) - Target 221
Six fewer to chase down for Pakistan.
8.25am GMT
11th over: Pakistan 41-0 (Hafeez 16, Sharjeel 21) - Target 221
The runs keep coming for Pakistan, five from the over. Four arrive in fortuitous fashion with Hafeez top edging a pull into his helmet and over Wade behind the stumps.
This chase doesnt need the brand of cricket the Pak coach was requesting, batsmen doing well to ignore the teacher atm... #ausvpak
8.20am GMT
10th over: Pakistan 36-0 (Hafeez 12, Sharjeel 20) - Target 221
Faulkner replaces Hazlewood to showcase his left-arm slower ball variations. Hafeez has a look at a couple before charging down the track and mistiming a wallop to cow corner. He gets just enough on it to lob unconvincingly over mid-on. A couple of singles elsewhere keep Pakistan ticking along nicely.
8.16am GMT
9th over: Pakistan 31-0 (Hafeez 9, Sharjeel 19) - Target 221
Cummins working into his spell. One of those bowlers that always looks like he’s giving 100%. He sends down a maiden to Hafeez.
8.12am GMT
8th over: Pakistan 31-0 (Hafeez 9, Sharjeel 19) - Target 221
The left-hand / right-hand combination is disrupting Australia’s line. Hazlewood’s first delivery of his fourth over is on Hafeez’s pads but good work on the fine-leg boundary from Starc keeps the damage to two. Starc repeats the trick a couple of balls later, turning four into one, backing up his fast bowling mate. Although, he may regret doing so as Sharjeel carts Hazlewood over midwicket for four from the final delivery of the over. He’s motoring.
There’s something genuinely unpleasant about the way Tubby’s smugly mocking Waqar for hoping that Pakistan might win this game. #AUSvPAK
8.07am GMT
7th over: Pakistan 24-0 (Hafeez 6, Sharjeel 15) - Target 221
Cummins into the attack early but he starts with a half-volley on leg-stump that Sharjeel dispatches to the fine-leg boundary.
8.03am GMT
8.02am GMT
6th over: Pakistan 20-0 (Hafeez 6, Sharjeel 11) - Target 221
Hazlewood really targeting the stumps to Hafeez, looking for the off-cutter LBW. Hafeez knows time is on his side and sees out a maiden patiently.
7.58am GMT
5th over: Pakistan 20-0 (Hafeez 6, Sharjeel 11) - Target 221
Still no early breakthrough for Starc or Australia. Since his early scare Hafeez has been watchful, scrambling three after digging out a good leg-stump yorker.
7.55am GMT
4th over: Pakistan 16-0 (Hafeez 3, Sharjeel 11) - Target 221
Hafeez gets off the mark with a nurdled two before Hazlewood catches him on his pads on the crease as he looks to work the ball to leg. The bowler sprints down the pitch - Broad-like - celebrappealing with nary a thought for the umpire. 21-yards later he looks around and sees the man in the red jacket shaking his head, prompting Hazlewood to turn his nose up at his skipper questioning the merits of a review, pointing his fingers beyond the leg-stump. Celebrappealing, a scourge of the game.
7.49am GMT
3rd over: Pakistan 8-0 (Hafeez 0, Sharjeel 7) - Target 221
The square is now completely shrouded in the shadows of the colossal MCG stands and Sharjeel appreciates the uniform conditions. First he drives Starc through the covers with a flowing blade, then jabs him square for two more, before picking out mid-off with another stroke that whip-cracked off the willow. Sharjeel looks in good touch.
7.43am GMT
2nd over: Pakistan 1-0 (Hafeez 0, Sharjeel 1) - Target 221
Hazlewood immediately on the mark, as we’ve come to expect from the tall New South Welshman. His right-arm over to the left-handed Sharjeel is just short of a good length and angling towards the slips with purpose.
Ohhhhhh #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/ceeeE05fdg
7.39am GMT
1st over: Pakistan 0-0 (Hafeez 0, Sharjeel 0) - Target 221
Mitchell Starc begins play after the break, bowling over the wicket to the right-handed Hafeez. Starc has two slips and the skipper Smith, the second of that pair DROPS A SITTER fourth ball. Hafeez chased one slanting across him and it went in and out of Smith’s bread basket. Terrible drop.
The first ball is underway with Hafeez and Sharjeel at the crease. PAK 0/0#AUSvPAK | https://t.co/IXovTqhuAo pic.twitter.com/ige1BYmdey
7.29am GMT
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7.27am GMT
Thanks Adam, sterling job, as always.
I reckon 220 is just about the most awkward possible score from Australia. Pakistan should be favourites but with Australia’s powerful attack and the tourists enduring such a painful few weeks it’s unlikely to be straightforward.
7.08am GMT
Far from Australia’s best day at the crease, the hosts lost wickets with enough frequency that a big score was never really on the cards. But the main factor in the stop/start innings was the willingness of Hafeez to deploy his spinners liberally.
Imad was especially outstanding, bowling Maxwell just as he looked set, then Smith after he decided to finally go after the bowling. The latter took 101 balls to compile 60, reflective of both the need to consolidate after Australia lost openers Warner and Khawaja, then number four Marsh, within ten runs.
6.59am GMT
A big top edge from Faulkner to another excellent Amir bouncer wraps up the Australian innings, ten balls short of batting out their overs. I’ll gather my thoughts and wrap the innings shortly.
6.56am GMT
48th over: Australia 216-9 (Faulkner 15, Hazlewood 0). Junaid has the chance to finish this, and tries initially with a slower ball. Faulkner is up to the task. A wide is called when his bouncer is a fraction too bouncey. The Australians scrap around for three further runs, but they’ve reached the stage survival is the main priority.
6.52am GMT
47th over: Australia 212-9 (Faulkner 13, Hazlewood 0). Before the wicket Faulkner was given something very rare from Amir: a four-ball. He whipped it away off his body to the square leg gap. It is the first four in eight overs and the only since the start of the final ten overs, giving some sense of the control that the visitors have had at this crucial stage. Hazlewood has 16 ODI runs. Ever. Cummins walked before, the replay shows as well... after not walking when he smashed Junaid the previous over. I don’t mind that. Keep us guessing.
6.48am GMT
Perfect bouncer to a fellow fast bowler, Amir tempting Cummins into the hook but he’s not able to catch up with it in time, gloving behind to Rizwan. Well. From building a base to the final ten to not even batting out the overs? Messy afternoon for the locals. Hazlewood the last man in.
6.44am GMT
46th over: Australia 207-8 (Faulkner 8, Cummins 0). Junaid very hard done by there, his first ball to the new man Cummins smashed to the ‘keeper but given not out. Having burned their review earlier on, that was that. Stiff. Will it cost them? Cummins can hit the long ball, we know this from his recent BBL form.
If you want to stupidly use your review, it'll often cost you when you really need it. Unforced error. https://t.co/EPqdtqPbII
6.42am GMT
Everything Hafeez does is working. Junaid brought back for the death from the Southern End, his slower ball won Starc’s inside edge. Frazzled, he started running anyway, Junaid collecting the ball in his follow through and executing the run out. Tidy.
6.38am GMT
45th over: Australia 205-7 (Faulkner 7, Starc 2). Imad’s final over just as good as the nine that came before it, varying his speed and use of the bowling crease. Faulkner’s two down to fine leg was the only multiple of the over, four from it. 10-0-37-2 the final analysis for the pick of the Pakistan spinners.
6.34am GMT
44th over: Australia 201-7 (Faulkner 4, Starc 1). The 200 is up when Starc gets off the mark first ball with a single, albeit via his inside edge. Only five from the over though, Shoaib now sporting the tip top figures of one-for-15 from his four.
Australia are struggling against the non spinning spinners in Melbourne .... Good Luck in India !!!!!!!!!!
6.31am GMT
That’s a very bad outcome for the home side, Wade’s middle stump hit by Shoaib who appeared the defeat the Victorian in flight, passing by his inside edge. Around the wicket, he’s used the angle to the left-hander very nicely there, slipping through the gate. What a weird old innings this has been. Can the bowlers do any better against the spin than the specialist bats? Every chance Shoaib will bowl through from here - why mess with a winning formula?
6.29am GMT
43rd over: Australia 196-6 (Wade 34, Faulkner 1). It was still Australia’s most productive over of the innings, 12 from it thanks to five wides earlier in the over and Smith twice taking twos into the deep before losing his way. Faulkner is off the mark down the ground. Can he turn it on? You know who would be handy now? Mitch Marsh.
6.25am GMT
The laboured hand of the captain is over, heaving hard and Imad but only succeeding in getting an inside edge onto his leg-stump. The plucky spinner was very happy about it to, sharing some words as Smith left the field. They put on 65, but at just four an over there’s still plenty riding on the fortunes of the lower order.
6.23am GMT
42nd over: Australia 184-5 (Smith 56, Wade 33). You would have got long odds before play at Shoaib Malik bowling deep into the final ten, but it has been that kind of innings. Hafeez is vindicated by sticking to the plan, five picked up from the over but no boundaries. It’s happy hour, but the Australian pair aren’t having any fun.
6.20am GMT
41st over: Australia 179-5 (Smith 54, Wade 30). Yep, it is Imad. And yep, it’s still hard yakka. There’s a tension in the air here as Wade misses a reverse sweep and then is beaten on his outside edge. Bill Lawry is frustrated on the all, saying he “can’t believe” it is the same guy who made 100 not out a couple of nights ago. Good telly. Three singles down the ground the only runs to come.
6.18am GMT
40th over: Australia 176-5 (Smith 52, Wade 29). Hafeez does go with Shoaib again, and he’s rewarded again as well, the over going for just the three. They’re struggling badly against the spin, and it isn’t getting any easier with Imad due to return soon as well. Need to find a way, simple as that.
6.14am GMT
39th over: Australia 173-5 (Smith 50, Wade 28). At last a half-century for the skipper. Took him 93 balls, but an important foundation in the context of a troubled start. Better from Wade to end the over, popping Hasan through mid-on for a valuable boundary.
6.09am GMT
38th over: Australia 168-5 (Smith 49, Wade 24). Shoaib Malik! As I live and breathe. The veteran of about a million ODIs pushes through his first set for two runs. Hafeez has been spot on with his changes today. Bit of turn out there for him as well. Suspect he might get another.
6.05am GMT
37th over: Australia 166-5 (Smith 48, Wade 23). Hasan back after Amir’s couple. Wade is also satisfied defending the first half of the over before pulling a single to the midwicket sweeper. Smith clips for two more in that direction as well, but that is their lot - three from the over.
6.00am GMT
36th over: Australia 163-5 (Smith 46, Wade 22). Hafeez finishes his stint of ten with his most effective over of the lot, only two from it. Smith remains comfortable to play from the crease and stick around as deep as possible. Looking forward to him exploding a bit later on if he gets to the final five with a ton in sight. Plenty of time.
5.57am GMT
35th over: Australia 161-5 (Smith 45, Wade 21). Amir again, running away from the Members’ Stand. Wade seems the more likely of the two to try something different here, walking up to the bowler as he delivers. But Amir changes up as well, following him short of a length so not to let the left-hander free his arms. Next up Wade does get him away, albeit via an edge through the cordon. It’s fine enough to beat third man. Six off it.
The Renegades beat the Heat in the other WBBL fixture today, keeping their season alive. That’s four wins on the spin for them.
5.52am GMT
34th over: Australia 155-5 (Smith 44, Wade 16). Hafeez has a couple to go, and looks like he’ll be bowling them out from the Great Southern Stand end. Around the wicket to Wade, he’s forced to defend the first couple from the crease. So Wade changed the rhythm by charging, Hafeez trying to get it down quicker and dropping short. The result: a half-tracker, Wade making no mistake without a sweeper on the midwicket fence. When Smith gets his go he’s back into that familiar defensive pose that has defined his innings so far. Five from the over, Australia still reluctant, it seems to shift gears. To be fair, on the evidence of the other night they may not necessarily need to provided they see out the overs. These two have put on 42, if you were wondering.
Matthew Wade punished that! #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/6WBrglVR9P
5.47am GMT
33rd over: Australia 150-5 (Smith 44, Wade 11). It is pace, Amir getting the last over before the drinks break, holding three overs back for Imad. Australia are able to bring up their 150 before the breather, courtesy of a Wade drive to end the other. Just a bunt really, didn’t get much of it. Three other singles came before it. Both players are immediately looking more comfortable against the pace than they were facing the classy spin of Imad.
5.42am GMT
32nd over: Australia 146-5 (Smith 42, Wade 9). The spin twin action continues with Hafeez, who pushes through his eighth over conceding six, not helped by a legside wide from the last ball, Wade getting two from the extra delivery. Beat him in flight, before reaching the ball, mind you.
Apart from Warne support, also notable that Swepson hails from same Brisbane grade club as fellow leggie and selection chairman Hohns
5.39am GMT
31st over: Australia 140-5 (Smith 40, Wade 6). Imad, just outstanding. Better by the over. One from this, and even that shouldn’t have been, a misfield from the bowler in his follow through. Wade tries to get proactive, but can’t get him away either. 19 runs from seven overs. You don’t see numbers like that very often in modern ODI cricket.
Fair point from Krishnan Patel on the email. Any thoughts? “In that Wade review, the ball surely flicks the back pad. Why didn’t they go for ball tracking? I know it’s not out and all that, however, an umpire should not take any chances and I’m interested to know if umpire’s call would be ‘out’ for that lbw referral.”
#PredictViz says that Australia will make 242 in their 50 overs #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/Q6VFZAQqcD
5.35am GMT
30th over: Australia 139-5 (Smith 39, Wade 6). Hafeez, with the exception of Maxwell’s six, just isn’t going for multiple runs. Four singles, one on the posh side three on the on, which is perfectly acceptable at this stage of the innings. 20 overs to go, loads of work to do for Australia. Instructively, Smith’s 39 has been from 68 balls so far, highlighting how hard the graft is out there right now.
Hafeez been impressive so far with the capt,attacked more with the slips & made some good changes..
5.31am GMT
29th over: Australia 135-5 (Smith 37, Wade 4). Superb from Imad, beating the captain Smith later in the over. The Australians really can’t get a handle on this bloke, able to vary his slight and direction ball to ball. 18 runs from his six overs. Expect they’ll just bowl him out from here. The man most likely.
Quality spin bowling from Pakistan. Not because of sharp turn, but because of subtle change of pace and trajectory. #AUSvPAK
5.28am GMT
He didn’t! That’ll be overturned, no spot and no snicko. Good review from Wade, who was beaten all-ends up by Imad the previous delivery as well, sliding across him from around the wicket.
5.27am GMT
Wade given caught behind! But he reviews! Did he hit it? DRS to solve the mystery in a jiffy.
5.26am GMT
28th over: Australia 133-5 (Smith 36, Wade 3). Hafeez knows they are on top here, and reflects that by racing through his next over. Until the last ball. Four runs from it to date. Then he just waits at the top of his mark, makes a tweak or two and approaches Wade with a quicker ball that belies the tactical delay. Excellent captaincy and bowling, even if the lbw shout is turned down.
5.23am GMT
27th over: Australia 129-5 (Smith 34, Wade 1). Wade is away, but it isn’t convincing, a single off the edge first ball. More good bowling from Imad, who is half through his overs for a very tidy one-for-16.
BOWLED! Imad gets the big wicket of Maxwell for 23 and didn't he enjoy it! Australia 5-128 in the 27th over #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/R2NzTMwzeQ
5.20am GMT
Maxwell down the track, but it is quicker from Imad, and he’s unable to get his bat down in time. It’s messy to be kind, ugly to be fair. On the day he returns to the Test squad, he’s lost his way badly here after a solid enough start. Australia have plenty of work to do as Matt Wade, the century-maker from Friday, walks to the middle to generous applause from the Victorian faithful. Again, please, they are saying through their cheers.
5.17am GMT
26th over: Australia 128-4 (Smith 34, Maxwell 23). Hafeez allows five singles, taken from cover to long on to midwicket to square leg. But he’ll be fine with that. The Mexican Wave starts. Remember when that was a bit of a thing at the MCG? First ODI of the summer? Queue for several hours to get in, for the best Bay 13 (equivalent) real estate? Smuggling in God only knows. 80,000 others (or so I choose to remember). Mexican Waves lasting an eternity. Getting kicked out. Coming back in. My “Deano One Day King” singlet with the Big V on the front. Remember? I do.
5.14am GMT
25th over: Australia 123-4 (Smith 32, Maxwell 20). Another good Imad over, pinning both batsmen to the crease, able to only pick up a couple of singles, helped also by a wide. We’re half way at the ‘G.
Maxi goes bang! #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/MLMxBN9SJO
5.11am GMT
24th over: Australia 119-4 (Smith 31, Maxwell 18). Hafeez just spinning himself around as it happens. The luxury of the captaincy. Maybe he should have stayed put though, Maxwell smashing him over long-on to begin the new stint, into the crowd. Nice footwork. Three further singles totalling nine for the over.
5.07am GMT
23rd over: Australia 110-4 (Smith 30, Maxwell 10). Imad back to replace Hafeez, who did his job. An another useful over for the tourists, four from it. A couple to square leg from Smith to get the over going, but only two further singles.
Mitchell Swepson the bolter in Australia's Test squad for India tour https://t.co/RDYrE91Frp
5.05am GMT
22nd over: Australia 106-4 (Smith 27, Maxwell 9). Hasan is putting in a wonderful shift here. Five more dots on the trot to Smith, who is has no real option but to defend. There’s a couple of miscued shots in there too. Not quite at the peak of his powers today, the Aussie skipper, but he’s still there. A single off the inside edge means he’ll retain the strike. One off the over.
4.59am GMT
21st over: Australia 105-4 (Smith 26, Maxwell 9). Australia’s 100 up to the second ball of Hafeez’s over. Sure enough, via Maxwell’s party-trick, the reverse sweep. Actually, that’s not fair. It’s a lot more than a party-trick, it’s his staple. And he does it better than anyone in world cricket. Continuing to keep things interesting, he nearly holes out later in the over to deep backward square, his pull falling just short of the sweeper.
Yeah Maxi! #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/PFbqgexfSP
4.56am GMT
20th over: Australia 99-4 (Smith 25, Maxwell 4). Leaving, defending, defending, leaving. Hasan has Smith just where he wants him, with the captain showing admirable patience. But changing up, the bowler opts for two short balls to end the over, Smith up to the task of turning them into the inside for two runs apiece.
Bit of chat on twitter about Pakistan’s poor review in the previous over. As Adam White notes here, you only get one, best to be conservative with it.
When you only get one review, I'm not sure this was an overly sensible time to use it. #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/1egPidbU8n
4.53am GMT
19th over: Australia 95-4 (Smith 21, Maxwell 4). The three leg byes that inspired review only added to by singles from Smith to bookend the over. Hafeez may be getting on, 36 years old now, but he’s still very handy with the ball in this format.
Scorchers have knocked off the Stars at Lilac Hill in the WBBL. The former just about certain to make finals now, the latter now plenty of work to do in order to make the last four.
4.49am GMT
Not out! No inside edge, but impact outside the line so the original decision is confirmed by DRS.
4.48am GMT
Review! For LBW. Maxwell beaten, but hit in front? We’ll find out.
4.47am GMT
18th over: Australia 90-4 (Smith 19, Maxwell 4). Eventful over with the wicket and earlier boundary, Maxwell ending it with a lovely drive through cover. A very handy way to open his account.
Pakistan remove Head. Tail exposed.
4.44am GMT
“Goooooone!” roared Bill Lawry, who is really giving his greatest hits a roll out today. And gone it is. Pushing with hands well away from his body the outside edge is caught, as is the ball by the ‘keeper Rizwan. The ball after Head bludgeoned a pull shot to the boundary. That’s a wasted start by the young South Australian, and a disappointing end. But excellent from Hasan to find an extra yard; it was a considerably quicker delivery than the one that came before it. Enter: the Big Show.
4.41am GMT
17th over: Australia 82-3 (Smith 19, Head 25). Hafeez gives himself a little jam roll with those previously-controversial off-breaks. And it’s effective, only two singles taken in a set that must have taken 75 seconds to complete, if that. Won’t somebody think of the battler doing the OBO?
4.39am GMT
16th over: Australia 80-3 (Smith 18, Head 24). One behind square to get Smith going again first ball after the drink. Head plays a shot that is a lot harder than it looks down the ground, on the up straight past the Hasan and to the rope. Very pretty batting. As it is when they turn one into two at midwicket, rapid running from Head in particular to call the captain through. That won’t please the Pakistan captain Hafeez. Good restart for the hosts, who look ready to move through the gears again with the foundation of this partnership now laid.
The TV cross to the “dress up deck”, which includes punters holding up signs of Channel Nine TV shows that presumably are back when ratings period begins. Crass much?
4.33am GMT
15th over: Australia 73-3 (Smith 18, Head 17). Nice little stint from the Pakistani change bowlers, three singles in the over before drinks bowled by Imad making it nine runs in three since the two came into the attack. But by the same token, an important consolidation from the Australian pair after losing three for ten. Time for a cordial.
4.30am GMT
14th over: Australia 70-3 (Smith 15, Head 17). Hasan Ali, who picked up three at the Gabba with his right arm seamers, into the attack now from the Southern End. And it’s a very good start, conceding only one run off the bat, the last ball of the over, when Smith pushes behind point. The ball before he was caught on the crease and beaten outside the line. Just the start the tourists needed from their third quick.
4.26am GMT
13th over: Australia 68-3 (Smith 14, Head 17). Spin to win, they say. So Imad Wasim it is, from the Members’ End, to replace Amir. His left-arm tweakers, that was so effective at the Gabba, have four singles taken by the incumbent pair first up here, as the batsmen and bowlers feel each other out to begin.
Pakistan made a real effort to target Khawaja's stumps. Only balls bowled to Khawaja would have gone on to hit the stumps this innings
4.22am GMT
12th over: Australia 64-3 (Smith 12, Head 15). A breakout over for Head, and maybe one too many for Junaid, who has had his figures ruined somewhat by the ten runs taken. Early in the over he’s high on his feet in crunching a square drive ala Allan Border. Then later in the set, a drive off the front foot to a half-volley, through the covers with limited risk. He’s a very good player, Head. And very stiff not to be going go India. Fancy that if he wasn’t a left-hander he would have got a go. But time on his side, not to mention a lock on a spot in this limited overs XI. Now I’ve said all that, he’s a lock as well to fall next over. Just you watch.
Can report that Mitch Swepson is in the press box, about to head downstairs to do his media conference. He’s got a pair of Brisbane Heat shorts on, some black trainers and black socks. On the evidence of this alone, I love the kid. First impressions matter.
4.16am GMT
11th over: Australia 54-3 (Smith 12, Head 5). A beauty to begin Amir’s sixth, moving into Head before jagging away. Have that, young fella. A quick single gets him down to the non-strikers’ end next ball. When Amir drops short to Smith he steers him with easy past point for four. Played himself in carefully, the captain, and now giving the impression that he’s ready to up the tempo.
A comment from Sam Branigan sums up much of the Marsh chat: “The selectors are desperate for him to be better than he is.” Perhaps. I’m still a believer. But probably not the best time to go into that given what he just did ten minutes ago.
4.12am GMT
10th over: Australia 49-3 (Smith 8, Head 4). Junaid continues, Smith driving his first ball through cover for his first boundary. Fine timing from deep in the crease. After that, Junaid is on the money and Smith unable to turn the strike over. Good cricket. Marsh copping it from Mark Taylor on the telly now as well, not to mention twitter. National consensus: don’t chuck him in at 40-2.
4.10am GMT
9th over: Australia 45-3 (Smith 4, Head 4). Smith, who got off the mark with a punch through cover for three in his previous over, has watched both those wickets down the other end. And it may well have been a third, Head edging his first delivery - the last of this over - through about fourth slip at a very catchable height. Instead, he’s off the mark with a boundary. Two excellent overs on the spin from Amir, now half way through his ten overs.
Mitch Marsh too loose. Should be batting after Wade!
4.06am GMT
Oh dear, to his first ball Mitch Marsh has tried to slap Amir through the covers and picked out Imad. Wickets in consecutive overs and Australia are once again in early trouble. No need for that first up, coming in so early. Marsh has got to be better than that if he’s going to command the number four spot in this order.
4.02am GMT
All of a sudden, Australia in a spot of bother here. Khawaja played the the most delightful, deft shot through the cordon earlier in the over, soft hands and precise placement. When trying another version of the shot to the last ball of this eight over, he got a thicker edge into the hands of the slipper diving low to his left, Sharjeel. It’s a very good take, confirmed by the third umpire as just carrying.
3.58am GMT
Khawaja given! Khawaja reviewing! Did it carry? Stand by...
3.56am GMT
7th over: Australia 32-1 (Khawaja 12, Smith 0). A very good over from Amir, Khawaja taking a single behind the square leg umpire, before Smith is forced to leave then defend the remainder of the set, still yet to get off the mark in this series.
Robert Wilson has chimed in on the email. (You can too, you know). “I’d love to see Pakistan make a decent fist of it today. Just to bring it up to the level of that recent heartbreaking WI tour of Oz. Azhar Ali has been a giant among men but the Windies fought harder with less talent.”
3.52am GMT
6th over: Australia 31-1 (Khawaja 11, Smith 0). The Warner dismissal could have been earlier in the over when he played and missed in similar fashion, albeit to probably a better delivery than the one that actually got him. Just a bit rusty today, Warner, nothing much to worry about. As for Smith, he’s leaving his first ball after nicking the corresponding one on Friday. There aren’t many people here yet, but they made plenty of noise as Junaid raced in there.
Junaid bowling well.
Of course, Junaid is named after Jun-Aid when Australia’s best musical acts performed in concert to support Mark Waugh
3.48am GMT
An unconvincing Warner stay comes to an end when pushing away from his body to Junaid, the edge found and pouched.
3.45am GMT
5th over: Australia 29-0 (Khawaja 10, Warner 16). Easier runs from Amir’s end so far, two of them for Warner off the pads, then two more behind square when the bowler misses his mark again. There’s a wide in there, and a quick single into the on-side. More good running when Usman takes on to mid-on before Warner ends the productive over with a glide behind point for a couple. Nine scored without a boundary or a risk. Good batting.
3.39am GMT
4th over: Australia 20-0 (Khawaja 9, Warner 9). “Got him!” cried Lawry. He hadn’t the ball had struck Warner’s back thigh-pad, Junaid cutting him in half. But it was well worth it for the quintessential Bill catch-cry. There’s another big shout when the same pad his hit again, this time taken behind the wicket. Good umpiring on both occasions to keep the finger down. No reviews. And excellent bowling. Two left-armers to two left-handers to open the innings here. Couldn’t have happened that often? Khawaja is able to flick again later in the set, two more through midwicket, his principal scoring areas thus far. Nice early contest.
16,396 is the current crowd at the MCG, I’m told by CA. That’s not great, Melbourne. I know there is a lot on, but we’re better than that. Carn. Get down.
Funny how bowlers do massive appeals, then automatically accept the umpire's not out decision, and don't even bother with the DRS. #AUSvPAK
3.34am GMT
3rd over: Australia 17-0 (Khawaja 7, Warner 8). Lovely stroke from Khawaja out towards the long boundary at deep midwicket, placed through the gap with crisp timing for three. Bill Lawry has a pop on the TV, saying he should never have been left out of the Brisbane fixture to open the series. To be fair, I can see what they are trying to do in expanding Head’s experience in the side. But still, it is hard to argue it isn’t a better XI for the silky left-hander’s presence.
3.30am GMT
2nd over: Australia 13-0 (Khawaja 4, Warner 7). Junaid from the Great Southern Stand end. On Khawaja’s hip, his first ball is down to fine leg for a single. Warner on strike, he gets a short ball and awkwardly pulls it to the rope. He’s looking a tad uncomfortable early here. Better: two off the pads next ball. Junaid helps by spraying a wide down the legside to what would otherwise have been the final ball. No demons out there.
Ian Swan has opened the email corro account for the day. Thank you Ian. “After Rusty’s column about crowd numbers, the opening over attendance is not a good look.”
3.24am GMT
1st over: Australia 5-0 (Khawaja 3, Warner 1). Usman off the mark first ball, flicked off the pads. Easy peasy. He takes three. Warner gets his first run via push to cover. There’s a shout for lbw later in the over after Khawaja shuffles across the crease, but it is denied and the review isn’t forthcoming. Not a bad shout though.
Notable and interesting that Khawaja's playing kit is clear of beer logos..
3.21am GMT
Usman Khawaja facing, Mohammad Amir bowling from the Members’ End. Let’s play some cricket.
3.18am GMT
So, that Indian squad. Welcome back the Marsh brothers. Fair play. The Big Show, makes sense. All the usual suspects from Sydney. But in Queensland leggie Mitchell Swepson, the 16th man in the squad, we have an old-fashioned bolter.
But should we really have seen it coming? This is the bloke Shane Warne talks up at every available opportunity. Is from the “pathway” as the press release from CA said. Is a kid. Bowls leggies. Far as I see it, this is the royal flush for a selection contender.
3.12am GMT
Context. The preamble, if you prefer. Australia arrive at Melbourne having gone one-up at Brisbane. From 78-5, it was a game Australia should never really have won in perfect conditions for tallying up a massive score. But 268 would be enough, only achieved due to Wade’s superb run-a-ball century. Australia’s seamers did the rest after dark, strangling the panicky Pakistani batsmen. Losing their captain Azhar to a hamstring injury, it was a shocking night all-round for the tourists.
The conditions are relatively cool, despite the unfettered sun from above, so it isn’t the worst toss of all-time to lose for the stand-in skipper Hafeez. It will need to be if they are able to square the series and give themselves a chance to redeem their sorry tour.
3.00am GMT
“We’ll have a bat, mate.” On a suitably glorious Melbourne afternoon there was never any doubt that Steve Smith would utter that familiar refrain when the coin fell his way.
The teams as named at the toss, and there are changes...
12.07am GMT
Adam will be here shortly.
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