Ponting leads Australian fightback

Ricky Ponting's unbeaten 61 led Australia to 136 for 2 against Pakistan at Headingley in England to leave the second test delicately poised at the end of day two today.



Ponting's score, the highest of the match, came from 103 balls and included six fours, leaving Australia 34 runs behind with eight second-innings wickets in hand.



Umar Amin and Mohammad Aamer were the only bowlers to take wickets, as Ponting and Michael Clarke, on 32 not out, advanced from 62 for 2 at tea, cutting Pakistan's lead to just 34 at the close.



Earlier, Shane Watson took a career-best six for 33 as Australia dismissed Pakistan for 258 after they had resumed this morning on 148 for three.



Pakistan had dismissed Australia for 88 in their first innings on yesterday’s opening day.