A big century from Mitch Marsh and resolute batting by the Australian middle order earned Australia a 216-run lead at the end of the third day against Pakistan A in Dubai.
Marsh and his brother Shaun added to their overnight partnership, taking the score to 311 and their third-wicket partnership to 207 before the latter was bowled by Iftikhar Ahmed for 94 off 230 balls (13 fours).
Mitch Marsh and Travis Head added 106 runs for the fourth wicket before the former was caught by Asad Shafiq off the bowling of Waqas Maqsood for 162 off 298 balls (17 fours).
Head continued to build his confidence for the first Test this week against Pakistan, facing 200 balls and hitting 10 fours as he ended the day 90 not out. At the crease with him on 36 not out is South African-born Marnus Labuschagne, who will be eager to add to his score tomorrow morning in order to lay claim to a Test debut, although it’s doubtless that Australia will bat much longer tomorrow as they will want their bowlers to have another good run ahead of the first Test.
Head and Labuschagne added 77 for the fifth wicket before the close in the 15-a-side warm-up match, with each side having to nominate 11 players to bat and 11 who would take the field.
It was another long day for the Pakistan bowlers, with Wahab Riaz (19-3-41-0, econ 2.15) being the tightest on the day, while the wickets were shared between Maqsood (24-6-66-2, econ 2.75) and Ahmed (65-17-149-2, econ 2.29).
Photo: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
