Simon Katich finally posted the century that had eluded him all summer as he and Ricky Ponting compounded Pakistan's pain with a brutal opening session on the fourth day. Australia added 141 and extended their advantage to 418 runs as Pakistan continued to set defensive fields and waited for Ponting's declaration. Katich has had trouble reaching triple-figures this season and had posted scores of 92, 80, 99 and 98. He hadn't scored a hundred since the Ashes opener in Cardiff and when he moved to 99, Pakistan tried to increase the pressure, but he found an easy single behind square on the leg side to register his century from 137 deliveries.
In the next over, Katich holed out to deep midwicket off Danish Kaneria and departed for an even 100, leaving Michael Hussey to accompany Ponting for the remaining ten minutes before lunch. At the break, Australia had reached 2 for 200 with Ponting on 88 and Hussey on 3 and no signs of the rain that was forecast. Ponting was left to decide whether to declare at lunch or bat again after the break.
Ponting survived a review on 62 when Pakistan felt sure they had him caught-behind off Mohammad Aamer. Asoka de Silva gave Australia's captain not out and there was no sign of an edge on Hot Spot, which left Ponting free to continue demoralising Pakistan with his attacking play.
With a hefty lead already in place, Ponting went after the bowling during the session and was happy to be inventive, driving in the air over fielders and taking balls from outside off to the leg side. The lack of intensity from Pakistan helped both batsmen, and Katich was gifted a boundary when his drive sailed straight through the legs of the cover fielder Salman Butt, who inexplicably failed to get a hand to the ball.
Katich's innings finished with 13 boundaries while Ponting went to lunch having struck 12 fours. If he bats again after the break he will have an opportunity to become only the seventh batsman in Test history to score a double-century and a century in one Test.
