Labuschagne hits 185, Oz pile big lead

Brisbane, November 23

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Marnus Labuschagne scored a sparkling 185 to help Australia to a commanding lead before their pace attack struck to leave Pakistan facing a heavy defeat on the third day of the first Test.

Queenslander Labuschagne’s maiden Test century combined with a doughty 154 from the bat of David Warner fired the hosts to 580 all out in response to Pakistan’s 240 an hour after tea at the Gabba. Quicks Mitchell Starc (2/25) and Pat Cummins (1/16) then took over to reduce the tourists to 25/3 before they recovered to 64/3 at stumps, still 276 runs short of forcing Australia to bat again.

Pakistan skipper Azhar Ali, Haris Sohail and Asad Shafiq were all sent packing cheaply to leave opener Shan Masood, who had made 27 not out, and Babar Azam, unbeaten on 20, fighting a desperate rearguard action. Australia have not lost at the Gabba since 1988 and the efforts of the experienced Warner and the more junior Labuschagne almost certainly ensured that record would be extended for another year.

Pakistan’s 16-year-old pace bowler Naseem Shah celebrated his first Test wicket with the key dismissal of Warner and when Yasir Shah prised out Steve Smith for a paltry four runs, there was a small glimmer of hope for the tourists. That hope was washed away by a torrent of runs from the bat of Labuschagne, who resumed his 16th Test innings on 55 and quickly assumed the mantle of aggressor from Warner. — Reuters

Brief Scores: Aus: 580 (Labuschagne 185, Warner 154, Burns 97, Wade 60; Yasir 4/205, Haris 2/75, Afridi 2/26); Pak: 240 and 64/3 (Masood 27*; Starc 2/25)