Australia go past 500 on last day at MCG

After Steven Smith completed yet another century, rain lashed out at Melbourne Cricket Ground washing out the entire final session and halting Australia’s progress at 465 for six at the end of day four of the second Test.

While Azhar Ali made it to the interval on a stubborn, unbeaten 66, Bird’s dismissals of Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq kept the hosts hopeful of ensuring Pakistan could not go on to a major first-innings tally on a slow but not unfriendly batting pitch.

Warner also raced past 5,000 test runs during the innings to join an honour roll of Australian batsmen including Don Bradman, Ricky Ponting and the Chappell brothers Greg and Ian.

Australia captain Steve Smith says Australia will consider playing two spinners in the third Test – with Steve O’Keefe poised to make his return to the baggy green in Sydney.

Azhar said Riaz had been working diligently on eradicating his no-ball problems but these had resurfaced.

Opener Azhar Ali had led the way with an outstanding 139 and Mohammad Amir was 28. With more than 400 left just to match Pakistan, and only two days left to salvage a result in the rain-affected match, it will be a test of strategy to avoid a dour draw in Melbourne.

“It s going to be hard work for the bowlers, but if we can get into them early and if the ball starts reversing then I m sure we ve got a good chance of making some things happen”.

“They’ve played him quite well, particularly Azhar Ali plays him extremely well”.

Light rain meant tea was taken seven minutes early, with Pakistan 4-142 after winning the toss.

Is Nathan Lyon’s time in the Australian team over, or does he have more to give to the Test side?

Smith did not bowl at all in the first Test at the Gabba, despite the big workload facing Australia’s frontline bowlers – Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Jackson Bird all bowled a minimum of 33 overs as Pakistan came within 40 runs of a record successful fourth innings chase of 490.

Azhar is averaging more than 56 in tests over the last three years, the most by a Pakistan batsman with more than 20 innings.

A spokesperson of Cricket Australia confirmed that Azhar was put through a test by Australian team doctor and was cleared of concussion.

While rain has nearly certainly ruined any chance of victory, Steve Smith and Mitchell Starc at least made an entertaining start to the last day of the Boxing Day Test.