Ponting and Clarke score centuries. Strauss gone first ball against SA.

Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke have both scored centuries to leave Australia in a commanding position at stumps on day 1 of the 3rd test dead rubber against Pakistan. Ponting and Clarke came together with Australian in a little bit of trouble at 3/71 before a 231 run unbeaten partnership took them to 3/302 at stumps. This partnership is the highest ever 4th wicket partnership at Bellrieve and the highest of all time for any wicket. Ponting scored his 39th test century and was 137 not out at stumps. While Clarke's unbeaten 111 has seen his career average rise above 50 again.


In the series deciding match at Johannesburg England won the toss and chose to bat but were reeling at 2/7 after just 2 overs. Strauss became the first Englishman since 1936 to be out first ball of a test match. It could have been worse for the visitors with Cook being dropped by Amla in the 5th over.