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Hobart: Australia ended day one of the third and final Test against Pakistan at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart on a strong 302/3, with skipper Clarke, Ponting Ricky Ponting and his deputy Michael Clarke hitting centuries.
Ponting made an unbeaten 137 with 17 boundaries, while Clarke made an unbeaten 111 with 11 boundaries. The two have so far been involved in a partnership of 231 runs. For Pakistan, Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif took a wicket apiece for 50 and 68 runs respectively.
Pakistan, at one time, was sitting pretty, having reduced Australia to 71/3, but thereafter, it was heartbreak for the visitors, as Ponting was dropped on zero and made the visitors pay for it.
Both Ponting and Clarke took the wind out of Pakistani sails.
Without a century in 10 Tests, Ponting posted his 39th ton to end one of his leanest of home summers on a high.
Clarke, also without a century this summer, played an assured hand despite being worked over early on by Asif.
The Test started with Ponting winning the toss and electing to bat. But Asif drew first blood for Pakistan in the seventh over when he trapped Simon Katich (11) plumb in front of the wicket.
Umar Gul then had Shane Watson caught by Imran Farhat to reduce Australia to 52/2 and soon the hosts looked in a spot of bother when Aamer had Michael Hussey caught behind by Sarfraz Ahmed to put them at 71/3.
After the shaky start, Ponting and Clarke stabilised the innings and also survived Pakistan's ugly defensive tactics of their pace bowlers keeping it short and well wide of off stump.
Brief scores
Australia: 302 for 3 (Ponting 137*, Clarke 111*)
