Shane Watson restores Australian dominance

Australia 3 for 111 (Watson 64*, Aamer 2-43) and 5 for 454 dec lead Pakistan 258 (Misbah 65*, Umar 51, Johnson 3-36) by 307 runs

Mohammad Aamer breathed life into the Boxing Day Test with a spell of aggressive and precise pace bowling, but another half-century from the dependable Shane Watson restored Australia's position of dominance. Having played a leading role in guiding Pakistan past the follow-on target earlier in the day, Aamer returned with the new ball to dismiss Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey in the final session before engaging in a fearsome, though ultimately unsuccessful, duel with Watson.

          His bowling, in union with the miserly Mohammad Asif, at one stage, reduced Australia to 3 for 40 in their second innings, but the settling influences of Watson and Michael Clarke allowed the hosts to add a further 71 runs without loss by stumps. That took Australia's overall lead to 307 with two days to play, almost certainly ensuring that Pakistan will face a ground record fourth-innings target when sent into bat sometime on Tuesday.Asif, whose unerring accuracy was reflected by his sub-two economy rate, was first to strike in Australia's second innings, removing Simon Katich who caught-behind to a prod outside off-stump. Aamer continued the assault on the hosts' top order, claiming Ponting to a miscued pull - fulfilling Chris Gayle's prophecy - and Michael Hussey to an angling lbw decision that was upheld by the video umpire.

          With the adrenaline flowing, Aamer turned his attention to the flammable Watson and pulses quickened across the ground. The Australian opener, who had driven elegantly and frequently in the early stages of his innings, was forced to defend a series of short-pitched deliveries around the 150 kmh mark, several of which Aamer followed with blown kisses.While entertaining, Aamer's ploy failed to rattle his Australian adversary. Watson raised his second half-century of the match - and seventh in 12 innings as Test opener - with a pull to the boundary off Saeed Ajmal and advanced his total to an unbeaten 64 by stumps.