On a morning of firsts, Shane Watson raised his highest Test score and Mohammad Aamer claimed a maiden Test five-wicket haul as the Australians extended their lead to a commanding 6 for 192. Aamer ensured the hosts did not make all the running on the fourth morning, scything through the top-order with raw pace and subtle reverse swing, but Watson's determined innings made certain the tourists would face a would-be ground-record fourth innings run chase.
For the third time this summer, Watson endured a nervous journey through the 90s. He headed to lunch unbeaten on 98, having cautiously seen off a maiden over Saeed Ajmal to close out the first session, testing the nerves of all in attendance at the MCG. In all, Watson had been in the 90s for 55 minutes by the break; a counter-point to the free-flowing innings he had played to that point.
Should he add a further two runs in the afternoon session, Watson will become the first Australian batsman since Michael Hussey at The Oval to reach triple figures in a Test match, breaking a team sequence of 20 unconverted half-centuries. His contribution accounted for more than half Australia's total of at the lunch break, and bolstered the hosts' over all lead to 388.
The Pakistanis reprised memories of Australia's second innings collapses during the Ashes and, more recently, the Perth Test on a spritely opening to Tuesday. Aamer emerged as the perfect weapon - relentlessly attacking a top-order in pursuit of quick runs and an early declaration - to provide his side with a glimmer of hope in the match.
Michael Clarke was his first victim, caught behind chasing a delivery that tailed away ever so slightly. Marcus North and Brad Haddin then fell in the space of two balls as part of a double-wicket maiden in his 17th over - reverse swing again playing a role - taking Aamer to his first five-wicket haul in just his seventh Test.
Alex Brown is deputy editor of Cricinfo
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