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On the third day of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Australia seized control thanks to a stellar partnership between Steve Smith and Mitchell Marsh. This crucial stand of 153 runs came at a pivotal moment, rescuing Australia from a precarious position at 16/4 and propelling their lead to 230 runs on a dynamic and eventful day.
Australia’s captain Pat Cummins played a significant role earlier in the day, achieving his 10th career five-wicket haul. His key dismissals included that of Mohammad Rizwan and Hasan Ali, cementing his status as a pivotal player in the match. Cummins received notable support from Nathan Lyon, who contributed four wickets, bolstering Australia's bowling attack.
Pakistan, having added only 70 runs to their overnight tally of 194/6, recognized the need for a strong performance on Day 3. Their left-arm pacers, Mir Hamza and Shaheen Afridi, delivered by decimating the Australian top order, limiting them to just 16 runs.
However, the course of the match shifted dramatically due to the outstanding partnership between Steve Smith and Mitchell Marsh. The duo's exceptional performance effectively pushed Pakistan out of contention in the game. Marsh, who was the player of the match in the first Test, narrowly missed a century, getting out on an edge to Mir Hamza, caught at first slip by Salman Agha.
Agha’s catch of Marsh underscored the missed opportunities for Pakistan throughout the game. Their inability to consistently hold catches proved to be a significant factor. Following Marsh's dismissal, Steve Smith reached his 40th career fifty and continued to extend Australia's lead with Alex Carey. Smith’s wicket, claimed by Shaheen Afridi, was the last to fall on the day.
Ending the day with a commanding lead of 241 runs and Alex Carey still at the crease, Australia aimed to further consolidate their position on Day 4. The team hoped to add an additional 60-70 runs to set a challenging target for Pakistan and then rely on their strong bowling lineup to secure a dominant position in the series.
This turn of events on Day 3 highlighted the unpredictable nature of Test cricket, where the momentum can shift dramatically, underscoring the importance of partnerships and seizing key moments in the game.
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