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Australia vs Pakistan highlights: Cricket live scores, blog, 1st Test - Day 2

16th December, 2016
First ball: 2pm (AEDT)
Venue: The Gabba, Brisbane
TV: Live, Channel Nine
Umpires: Ian Gould, Richard Illingworth
Betting: Australia $1.18, Draw $6, Pakistan $21
Teams:

Australia
Matt Renshaw, David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Steven Smith (capt), Peter Handscomb, Nic Maddinson, Matthew Wade (wk), Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Jackson Bird

Pakistan
Sami Aslam, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), Asad Shafiq, Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), Wahab Riaz, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Amir, Rahat Ali
Pakistan and Ireland have a long history in Test cricket. (AFP PHOTO/KARIM SAHIB)
Editor
16th December, 2016
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A century from captain Steve Smith and a pair of fifties from new pair Matt Renshaw and Peter Handscomb have left Australia in a dominant position after the first day of the first Test against Pakistan. Join The Roar from 2pm (AEDT) for all the live scores, highlights and action from Day 2.

It was rumoured during the week that Australia would leave out spinner Nathan Lyon for a fourth pace bowling option in Chadd Sayers, but in the end, the Aussies went for the same XI that emerged victorious over South Africa in Adelaide.

The hosts got off to the best possible start, winning the toss and electing to bat before David Warner and Renshaw combined for a 70-run partnership.

Surprisingly, Renshaw looked the more assertive of the duo, showing that he is far from the obstinate wall he looked on debut with a wide array of strokes, a lofted boundary off Pakistani spinner Yasir Shah particularly glorious.

Twin Pakistani strikes on the eve of the tea break – Warner trapped LBW by Mohammad Amir and Usman Khawaja clipping Shah to midwicket for just 4 – almost swung the game back to parity, but Smith looked in control from the word go.

Along with the impressive Renshaw, who prompted loud cheers from his home Gabba crowd upon reaching a maiden international half-century, the Aussie skipper kept the scoreboard ticking over past the tea break.

Renshaw was caught behind for 71 thanks to some nifty swing bowling from Wahab Riaz, but fellow youngster Peter Handscomb picked up where he let off, his unorthodox deep-in-the-crease technique doing nothing to prevent the Victorian from reaching a second Test fifty.

But the day belonged to Smith, who brought up his first Test century of the summer with a delightful straight drive.

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He had his share of luck along the way – wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed fluffed a straightforward edge off the bowling of Azhar Ali with Smith on 53, and on 97 a faint tickle was picked up by Hot Spot, but not any of the Pakistani fielders – but it was another top-class effort from one of the world’s premier batsmen, and ensured Pakistan’s first day of Test cricket in Australia since 2010 was not a happy one.

With Australia reaching 3/288 at stumps, the tourists’ chances of victory look slim, especially with a few of their batting stars lacking form. To be any chance, they’ll need to wrap up the Aussies quickly, though with both Smith and Handscomb looking in imperious form, and plenty of batting still in reserve, that will be easier said than done.

Join The Roar from 2pm (AEDT) for all the live scores and action as Australia look to build on an imposing platform in Day 2 of the first Test against Pakistan.

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