His innings really got Australia out of a hole - again Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer

It was his sixth Test hundred of 2004 and followed an unbeaten 100 in the opening match of the three-Test series.

"I try to keep pretty level [headed] about it. It's the kind of game where you can be up and down next week.

"But when you career's over these are the sort of things you look back on and feel very special about," he said.

"It's not an easy job making centuries at Test level.

"We are always going through patches, you can't consistently make hundreds week in and week out.

"I hope I have rewarded the selectors and Ricky Ponting for sticking by me and giving me the chance this year."

Australia were eventually all out for 379 after resuming on 203-5 and had reduced Pakistan to 85-5 by the close.

danish Kaneria celebrates after finally ending Martyn's innings

"Today was always going to be a big day from a team point of view.

"We wanted to get a bit of a lead, which we did, and the way the guys bowled was fantastic.

"It sets it up for tomorrow," Martyn added.

Pakistan were left to count the cost of having to try to contain Australia with Abdul Razzaq off the field ill.

Coach Bob Woolmer said they had done "fantastically well" to restrict Australia to a 38-run first innings lead.

"We were down to three bowlers - that was pretty tough for our guys," Woolmer commented.

Pakistan chose not to use spin bowling all-rounder Shoaib Malik, whose action is currently being re-modelled after he was reported to the International Cricket Council.