Katich and Watson put Australia in control

Dec 26, 2009

Australia opted to bat and started cautiously with openers Shane Watson and Simon Katich taking time to settle in•Getty Images

There was hesitation in the running, and Katich also survived a dropped chance•Getty Images

They reached their half-centuries and inched towards their respective tons•Getty Images

Katich then fell for 98, continuing Australia's and his own hunt for the elusive century this summer•Getty Images

Mohammad Aamer got the ball to move off the pitch, and produced some nervy moments for the openers•Getty Images

Pakistan's fielding woes continued, as Misbah-ul-Haq put down a straightforward catch off Watson •Getty Images

But Watson, who had scored his seventh fifty, was unable to translate his effort into three-figures after he was run out on 91•Getty Images

Ricky Ponting carried on the good work with a stroke-filled 57, putting Australia on course for 300 in the day•Getty Images

Having received another life, the openers, led first by Watson, set about making Pakistan pay•Getty Images

The batsmen found themselves at the same end after a major mix-up, and Australia lost their first wicket for 182•Getty Images

Mohammad Asif added Ponting to his tally on a day of toil for Pakistan•Getty Images