cricketrulz

Captain Ricky Ponting made Pakistan pay for a dropped catch as he stroked his 39th Test century to take Australia to 302-3 on the first day of the third and final Test against Pakistan at the Bellerive Oval on Thursday.

Ponting was 137 not out while vice-captain Michael Clarke was unbeaten on 111 as Australia recovered from three early setbacks to gain control after electing to bat.

Australia lost the wickets of Simon Katich (11), Shane Watson (29) and Michael Hussey (6) before Ponting and Michael Clarke saw out two sessions without losing a wicket.

Ponting, dropped by Mohammed Aamer before opening his account, was scratchy in the beginning but gained in confidence during his ubeaten stay. He stroked 17 fours in his 239-ball knock.

Clarke, on the other hand, was sedate in comparison in his 223-ball stay which included 11 boundaries.

Pakistan, who gifted away a golden opportunity of levelling the series in Sydney to lose by 36 runs, made regular inroads as all three pacers - Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Aamer and Umar Gul - struck in the first session before Ponting and Clarke came together.

Australia have already won the three-match series with victories in Melbourne and Sydney.