BRISBANE. Nov 10: Steve Waugh scored an un beaten century to help Australia take a firm grip

on the first Test alter a dismal batting and fielding performance by Pakistan today, reports Reuter.

The tourist, lost three cheap wickets late in the day after dropping eight catches as Australia compiled a massive 463 in their first innings.

At close of play on the second day, Pakistan were reeling on 40 for three after losing opener Salim Elahi, number three Rameez Raja and nightwatchman Saqlaln Mushtaq.

Australia have completely outplayed Pakistan over the opening two days capitalising fully on a woeful display in the field by the tourists. '

Waugh alone survived three chances on 15. 85 and 87 — on his way to a defiant 112 not out his ninth Test century and first against Pakistan.

Fast bowlers Craig McDermott and Glenn McGrath together with leg-spinner Shane Warne shared the wickets as Pakistan's top order collapsed during the final hour.

Waugh the fourth Australian batsman to reach his half-century survived two chances in one over before reaching his century in the final over before tea at the Gabba.

First slip Inzamamul Haq spilled a chest high catch after Waugh edged an attempted cut shot off a short ball from off-spinner Aamir Sohail.

Two runs later with his score on 87. Waugh charged down tjie pitch and edged the ball again but wicketkeeper Moin Khan failed to take the catch.

The costliest miss had come on Thursday when Pakistan captain Wasim Akram

dropped a simple return catch early in Waugh's In-nings.

Fittingly given the tourists poor fielding throughout the Australian innings Waugh reached his century after a fielding error by substitute Mushtaq Ahmed who let the ball pass through his hands.

McDermott made the vital breakthrough at the start of the Pakistan reply when Salim Elahi. making his Test debut, edged a catch to Mark

Taylor at first slip with the score on 11 and the total 20.

Taylor snapped up a second chance when Rameez Raja edged a ball from Warne to leave Pakistan on 37 for two.

Three runs later Saqlaln Mushtaq was trapped leg before wicket to McGrath of the last ball of the day.

In a further blow for Pakistan. fast bonder Waqar Younis was forced off the field late in Australia's innings with a calf injury joining batsman Salim Malik in the pavilion.

Malik did not take the field all day after requiring six stitches on a cut hand.

Resuming on 262 for four with Waugh unbeaten on 24 and all-rounder Greg Blewett yet to score Australia survived the first session without fur-

ther loss.

Blewett added 135 runs for the fifth wicket before he was trapped leg before wicket by Waqar Younis the first of his three wickets.

Blewett became the fourth batsman to score a half century, matching the feats of captain Taylor. David Boon and Mark Waugh earlier in the innings.

Waqar finished with figures of three for 101 before limping off in the middle of his 30th over Wasim Akram and off spinners Saqlain Mushtaq and Aamir Sohail each took two wickets.

SCOREBOARD

Scoreboard On the second day of the first Test between Australia and Pakistan at the Gabba today:

AUSTRALIA: First innings (overnight 262 for four) Taylor c Malik b Saqlain 69 Slater c M Akram b Wasim 42 Boon c Inzamam b Wasim 54 M Waugh c Elahi b Saqlain 59 S Waugh not out 112

Blewett lbw Waqar 57

Healy c substitute (Mushtaq) bM Akram 18

Reinel lbw Waqar 9

Wame c Moln b Sohail 5

McDermott b Waqar 8

McGrath st Moin b Sohail 5 Extras: (b-2. w-4, lb-6, nb-13) 25 Total: (161.5 overs) 463

Fall of wickets: 1-107; 2-119; 3-213; 4-250; 5-385: 6-411; 7-434; 8-441; 9-452. Bowling O M R W

Wasim 38 9 84 2

Waqar 29.5 7 101 3

M Akram 33.1 4 97 1

Saqlain 44 12 130 2

Sohail 16.5 2 43 2

PAKISTAN: First innings Elahi c Taylor b McDermott 11

Sohail not out 17

Rameez c Taylor b Wame 8

Saqlain lbw b McGrath 0

Extras: (Ib-1, not-3) 4

Total: (for three wickets) 40

Fall of wickets: 1-20; 2-37; 3-40 Bowling (to date) O M . R W

McDermott 6 2 15 1

McGrath 7 1 17 1

Wame 4 2 7 1