Kaneria Spins, Gul Put Pakistan in Command

Sydney: Pakistan reached a commanding position on the third day of the second Test by reducing Australia to 286-8 with a lead of only 80 runs at the SCG.

Danish Kaneria took four wickets and Umar Gul picked three as Pakistan closed-in on drawing level in the three-Test series. Pakistan have not beaten Australia in a Test match since 1995.

Michael Hussey fought a lone battle on Tuesday with an unbeaten 73 as Australia took a slender 80-run lead with just two wickets remaining.

Australia lost five wickets in the last session after reaching 199-3 at the tea interval. Danish Kaneria removed Marcus North (two), Brad Haddin (15) and Mitchell Johnson after Mohammad Asif strcuk a crucial blow by trapping Michael Clarke (21) leg before.

Umar Gul then took the final wicket of the day by snaring Nathan Hauritz (four).

Earlier, after Pakistan were bowled out for 333, Shane Watson (97) held fort for Australia to narrow the visitors' but the all-rounder fell in the nineties for the third time this summer as Umar Gul picked his second wicket of the day. Earlier, the Pakistan pacer dismissed skipper Ricky Ponting (11).

Brief scores
Australia: 127 and 286 for 8 (Watson 97, Hussey 73*, Kaneria 4-117, Gul 3-62)
Pakistan: 333 (Bollinger 4-72)
Status: Australia lead by 80 runs

Scores	Upcoming	Results
South Africa vs Pakistan - 3rd ODI 4th Test - Australia v India - December 26-30, 23:30 GMT 1st Test - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan - December 26-30, 07:30 GMT 3rd ODI - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan at Harare Afghanistan won by 8 wickets (with 139 balls remaining) 3rd T20I - West Indies v Bangladesh at St Vincent Bangladesh won by 80 runs

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