UNBEATEN CENTURIES from Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke steered Australia to 302 for 3 on day one of the third Test with Pakistan in Hobart yesterday.
Pakistan started well in the final Test of the series, pegging Australia back to 80-3 at lunch.
But, having been dropped when still on nought, Ponting ended the day on 137 to hit only his second Test century on his home ground at Bellerive Oval.
The veteran Aussie skipper ended a run of shaky form to put on an unbroken 231 in 69.4 overs with Clarke.
Australia have an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series, but things looked promising for the tourists in the opening session when, having lost the toss, they claimed the wickets of Simon Katich, Shane Watson and Mike Hussey.
Ponting’s 39th Test century arrived in 159 balls with 13 fours, with Clarke ably partnering him, reaching his 13th Test ton from 188 balls to end the day unbeaten on 111.
