October 20 Sunday 2002
Ponting century puts Australia in control 

SHARJAH: Ricky Ponting hit an unbeaten 142 as Australia reached a commanding 298 for three against Pakistan on Saturday at the close of the first day of the third and final test. 

Ponting, who scored 141 in the opening test at Colombo, shared in a second-wicket stand of 184 with opener Matthew Hayden, who was dismissed in the final session for 89. Pakistan, who already trail 2-0 in the series, also claimed the late wicket of Mark Waugh, for 23, before Ponting and captain Steve Waugh added a further 65 runs before the close. 

The Australian skipper was not out 33 at the end of the first day while off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq was Pakistan's key bowler, finishing with figures of two for 125. "I felt very disappointed when I got out after scoring 141 in the first test in Colombo, but now I hope I can build on this innings and score a double hundred," said Ponting, after batting for a little under four and a half hours. "The first period was crucial today but, once I saw that through, I grew in confidence. "And the absence of Shoaib Akhtar did make some difference as you know he is the kind of bowler who can knock over the wickets once he gets going." 

Pakistan made a perfect start after losing the toss when Waqar Younis made an early breakthrough, clean bowling Justin Langer for four with an express inswinger, the batsman playing a bit casually to the fifth ball of the innings. But Hayden and Ponting then took full advantage of a Pakistan attack missing the injured Shoaib, who has returned home with a back strain. Fellow pacemen Waqar and Mohammed Sami failed to make much of an impact. 

Ponting, playing without a helmet, was hit on the chin by a Sami delivery, but the gutsy batsman remained unruffled and paced the innings well with Hayden. The morning session produced 89 runs and the pair batted all the way through the afternoon, lifting the total to 179 for two by tea. Just when Hayden, who had scored 119 in the second test, seemed set for a back-to-back centuries, the left-hander fell to a stunning catch by Faisal Iqbal at forward short-leg off the spin bowling of Saqlain. 

Hayden's 89 came up off only 163 balls in just over four hours at the crease, and included 11 fours and two sixes. 

New batsman Mark Waugh then struck five early boundaries as he attempted to end a poor run of recent form, but he fell for 23 after edging a Saqlain delivery behind. 

Captain Steve Waugh joined Ponting and the pair comfortably guided Australia to the close as they added a further 65 runs. Ponting completed his century in style, smashing Saqlain for a straight six, and he ended the day unbeaten on 142, having faced 248 balls and struck 13 fours and three sixes. 

Australia retained the same side which won the second test by an innings and 198 runs but Pakistan made three changes with Imran Farhat, Hasan Raza and Sami coming in in place of Imran Nazir, Abdul Razzaq and Shoaib. The teams, wearing black arm bands, observed a minute's silence before the start of the game in memory of those killed in the Bali bomb blasts in Indonesia.