Third Test, Hobart, day four (close):
Australia 519-8 dec and 219-5 dec v Pakistan 301 & 103-4
Match scorecard
 Katich struck 13 boundaries during his 138-ball innings |
Australia are on course for a 3-0 series whitewash against Pakistan after Simon Katich hit his ninth Test century on day four in Hobart. The left-handed opener made 100 and shared a stand of 191 with skipper Ricky Ponting (89) before the hosts declared their second innings on 219-5. It left Pakistan to chase a victory target of 438 but they lost both openers with only 29 on the board. Shane Watson then took two wickets to reduce them to 103-4 at the close. The hosts began the day on 59-1 knowing that three solid sessions would bring them tantalisingly close to a record-equalling 12th successive Test victories over their opponents.  | 606: DEBATE |
Ponting and Katich enthusiastically set about building their lead on a batting track that remained benign for much of the day. But the captain had his scares and survived when a caught-behind decision off Mohammad Aamer was referred to the video umpire on 62. Katich was finally removed as he reached triple figures and Ponting followed before he could become only the seventh Test player to post a century and double century in the same match. Off-spinner Shoaib Malik claimed Ponting's wicket after he asked for a second opinion on one that clipped his glove on the way through to Sarfraz Ahmed. The declaration came soon after and left Pakistan chasing a notional 438 for victory. But even their slightly more realistic ambitions of holding out against the Australian attack for five sessions were quickly dented as they slumped to 67 for three by tea. A Doug Bollinger delivery kept low to Salman Butt to start the slide, before Peter Siddle squared up Imran Farhat. The important wicket of Mohammad Yousef fell to Shane Watson as he pinned the Pakistan captain leg before. The tourists squandered a second referral challenging the dismissal of Umar Akmal after the interval as their chances of clinging on for a draw became even slimmer. Rain brought an early end to the day and Watson believes the Hobart weather could be the biggest obstacle between his side and a final-day victory. "Hopefully it's sunny when we get here in the morning," he said. "The ball is in top condition and, as long as the rain stays away for a little bit, I'm sure if we get a couple of breakthroughs early it will be difficult for their tailenders." But Pakistan coach Intikhab Alam insists his side would prefer the opportunity to pull off a surprise escape on the field rather than be spared by rain. "We are not hoping for the rain, I will tell you this. We don't play cricket like that," he said. "You can only live on hope and try to save this match."
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