Ponting declares after Hauritz half-century

Australia 5 for 454 dec (Katich 98, Watson 93, Hussey 82, Hauritz 75, Ponting 57) v Pakistan

Ricky Ponting made the surprising move to declare Australia's second innings closed at 5 for 454 less than an hour into the second session on Sunday. Ponting's move, the latest in a series of aggressive decisions from the previously conservative captain, came immediately after Nathan Hauritz (75) became the fifth Australian batsman of the innings not to convert his half-century into triple-figures.

The move will come as welcome relief to Saeed Ajmal, who bowled 46 of Pakistan's 128 overs, but not so to the Pakistani batsmen. After a sapping day-and-a-half in the field, the tourists are now facing an intimidating run-chase against an Australian attack featuring Peter Siddle, making his comeback from a hamstring strain on his home ground.Potentially working in Pakistan's favour is a placid MCG wicket and a groin injury to Hauritz that hampered him between the wickets towards the end of his innings. But with more than 450 runs to pursue and a parochial crowd behind the Australians, the Pakistanis have their work cut out for them.

Michael Hussey became the latest Australian batsman to fall victim to the "century curse", but not before he had propelled the hosts to an authoritative 4 for 394 over Pakistan in the first Test. No local batsman has reached triple-figures since Hussey's career-saving 121 at The Oval in August, and his dismissal for 82 just prior to lunch took to 19 the number of unconverted half-centuries made in the intervening period.In the context of the match, it mattered little. Australia's top four batsmen all passed 50, and the side will be well pleased with the scoreline after four sessions. But with each missed century comes further scrutiny, and with further scrutiny comes additional mental barriers to overcome, as conceded by Shane Watson overnight. The Australians might be well positioned, but they will be nonetheless keen to break free of this statistical millstone in the days and weeks to come.