Michael Clarke reached his highest Test score and combined with Ricky Ponting for a 322-run partnership that continued to grind Pakistan into submission on the second day in Hobart. The pair smashed all sorts of records in their ongoing stand, which will enter a fifth session when they come out after lunch aiming for quick runs before a declaration. At the break, Australia were on 3 for 393 with Ponting on 180 and Clarke on 153. Their partnership was the 15th triple-century stand by an Australian pair in Test history, and the team's highest for any wicket since Ponting and Justin Langer added 327, also against Pakistan, in Perth in 1999-2000.
It was also comfortably the highest Test partnership at Bellerive Oval, beating the 260 between Steve Waugh and Dean Jones in the inaugural Hobart Test 20 years ago. Clarke moved to his highest Test score, surpassing the 151 he made on debut in Bangalore in 2004 when he burst onto the scene as a 23-year-old.
He survived a confident appeal from Pakistan on 113 when Umar Gul felt he had Clarke caught behind. Rudi Koertzen's not-out decision was upheld on review after the third umpire found no evidence to overturn the call. Clarke was later picked up by the stump microphone telling Ponting he felt he hadn't hit the ball but did hear a noise.
Ponting, who was dropped yesterday before he had scored, was also given another life today on 167 when he drove Danish Kaneria and the ball flew through the hands of Imran Farhat at cover. But by that stage Australia were going for their shots and in truth, they were rarely seriously troubled during the fourth session of the match.
Clarke and Ponting added 91 in the session and Ponting will face a tricky decision on when to declare. Although the second day was being played in perfect conditions, there was expected to be some rain for the remainder of the match, which could affect his decision on when to call an end to the innings.
