Australia skipper Steven Smith led his team from the front his unbeaten century helped the hosts finish the opening day of the first Test against Pakistan at 288 for 3.
Earlier, Smith won the toss and expectedly decided to bat first. Australian openers Matt Renshaw and David Warner gave the hosts a solid start with a 70-run stand. The partnership ended when Mohammad Amir trapped Warner LBW for 32. Five runs later, Yasir Shah had the Aussies in a spot of bother when he dismissed in-form Usman Khawaja for only four. But Smith added 76 runs with Renshaw to steady the ship.
The dangerous-looking partnership was broken when Wahab Riaz dismissed the southpaw to deny him a well-deserved century. The 20-year old was looking in good touch and scored 71, studded with nine hits to the fence. But that was the last time the visitors celebrated as Smith and Peter Handscomb shared an unbeaten partnership of 137 runs to put their team firmly in the driver’s seat. In between, Smith completed his 16th Test ton while Handscomb completed his second Test fifty in as many matches. Smith was playing on 110 while Handscomb was unbeaten on 64 when the day ended.
Here is how Twitter reacted to the day’s play:
https://twitter.com/Virendrasehwag_/status/809341570961051648
Jeez he's good this bloke! #AUSvPAK #smudge
— Glenn Maxwell (@Gmaxi_32) December 15, 2016
3 sessions all goes to #AUS first Renshaw than Smudge with Handscomb they'have made the day for them #AUSvPAK
— ?? ? ? (@cricdrugs) December 15, 2016
You have to love how Misbah chases the ball all the way to the boundary but you can see it is getting a bit tougher!!
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 15, 2016
What a magnificent Hundred by Steve Smith. What joy to watch him at his blistering best. Good support by Renshaw and Handscomb. #AUSvPAK
— Javaid (@JavaidSpeaks) December 15, 2016
At a time when technology is helping produce the right decision (or so we hope!), should an appeal still be necessary to induce a verdict?
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 15, 2016
I don't have the mental capacity to brush my teeth, let alone face a swinging ball at night with 26,000 shouting. Go Steve Smith! #AUSvPAK
— Richard Craill (@Craillsy) December 15, 2016
https://twitter.com/VirkCricket/status/809334754587897856
https://twitter.com/DennisCricket_/status/809334242618413056
https://twitter.com/michaelrcotton/status/809335001690959872
Renshaw now averaging 102 in Test cricket. Retire hurt, then retire from the game, Matt. Don't make the same mistake Voges did. #AUSvPAK
— Dan Liebke (@LiebCricket) December 15, 2016
Mohammad Amir bowled 39 dot balls in a row in his previous spell #Cricket #AUSvPAK
— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) December 15, 2016
Usman Khawaja's first-innings scores when batting at No.3 this home Test summer: 4, 4, 4 #AUSvPAK
— Brydon Coverdale (@brydoncoverdale) December 15, 2016
In 1959 Rawalpindi born Aussie Duncan Sharpe, appeared for #PAKvAUS
Today, 57 yrs later, Islamabad born Pakistani Usman Khawaja for #AusvPak— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) December 15, 2016
I like the pool idea. I hope they have a graffiti filled alley with a dumpster and a cafe at the Boxing Day test. #AUSvPAK
— Titus O'Reily (@TitusOReily) December 15, 2016
https://twitter.com/rustyjacko/status/809317679332896769