Ponting and Gilchrist Flay Pakistan to Set Up Series Sweep

Australia are on the verge of completing a series whitewash after Pakistan finished the third day of the third Test on 67 for one in their second bat, still 197 runs in arrears of Australia's first innings total of 568.

The hosts claimed the prized wicket of opener Salman Butt, by leg spinner Stuart MacGill for 21, to leave Pakistan with a mountain to climb.

Earlier, captain Ricky Ponting made 207 and Adam Gilchrist a blistering 113 off a mere 120 balls - a record 13th ton for a wicketkeeper in Test cricket - as the Australians put themselves in excellent position for a clean sweep of the series.

The first session of the day was washed out but when play got underway Australia were quick to add to their overnight total of 340 for four.

Ponting resumed on 155 but was content to play second fiddle to Gilchrist, who smashed five sixes and 14 fours in a typically aggressive innings.

Ponting, who joined Greg Chappell and Sir Donald Bradman as the only Australians to make four Test double centuries, said: "You have just got to let him go and sit back and enjoy it and let him keep going because once he gets on a roll like that and starts striking the ball the worst thing is to try and stop it.

"The way he changed the course of the game again today was outstanding - 13 centuries in Tests is unbelievable for a wicketkeeper."

However, Gilchrist's departure, stumped by Kamral Akmal off leg spinner Danish Kaneria, sparked an uncharacteristic collapse which saw Australia lose their last five wickets for just 97. Ponting was sixth man out when he was bowled by Naved-ul-Hasan shortly after passing his double century with the score on 529.

Shane Watson chipped in with 30 but the lower order fell away as Kaneria finished with seven for 188 and Naved-ul-Hasan three for 107.

Australia's two leg spinners were soon into the action on a helpful pitch but it was MacGill, who is usually in the shadow of Shane Warne, who made the breakthrough.

The former Nottinghamshire bowler struck with his first ball in the ninth over as he tempted Salman (21) to edge to Warne at slip with the score on 46.

Yasir Hamed (40 not out) and Younis Khan (five not out) took Pakistan to the close without further loss.