Jaques century gives Australia upper hand

Australia A 293 and 288 for 2 (Jaques 136, Hussey 69*, Rogers 54) lead Pakistan A (Ahmed 61, Bollinger 5-15) by 327 runs
Scorecard

Phil Jaques extended his fine run of form with a brisk century © Getty Images Enlarge

Phil Jaques scored a brisk century to give Australia A the upper hand at the end of the third day of their match against Pakistan A at Lahore. The Australians are 327 runs ahead having lost only two second-innings wickets.

Chris Rogers, the West Australian batsman, hit a rapid 54 and shared a century partnership with fellow opener Jaques to make amends for his first-innings duck.

Jaques' hundred, which came on the back of an 82 in the first innings and 152 in the previous match, helped him stake a strong claim for the opening slot available in the national team after the retirement of Justin Langer. Following Rogers' dismissal, Jaques dominated a 168-run stand with David Hussey before falling for 136 to offspinner Tahir Khan. Hussey ended the day unbeaten on 69.

All the Pakistan bowlers were ineffective and bowled just two maiden overs in the 60 overs. Former international, Mohammad Sami, and legspinner Mansoor Amjad were particularly expensive, conceding more than six runs an over.

Earlier, left-arm fast bowler Doug Bollinger picked up Pakistan's two remaining first-innings wickets to finish with a five-wicket haul and restrict them to 254.

This is the second and final four-day match of the tour. The Australians secured a massive innings-and-203-run win in the first game in Faisalabad.