Australia vs Pakistan 2017: 3rd Test, Day 3: 5 talking points

Younis Khan stood between Australia and their attempt to enforce the follow-on as he made his first hundred on Australian shores, making him the first man to hit centuries in 11 countries.

While Younis scaled several peaks, Australia dominated proceedings at Sydney as their bowlers made it tough for Pakistan. None of Misbah-ul-Haq, Asad Shafiq, Sarfraz Khan and Mohammad Amir gave Younis company.

At 271/8, trailing by 267 runs, a follow-on looks very much on the cards for Pakistan.

Here are the talking points from the day's play the Sydney Cricket Ground.

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#5 Can Handscomb solve Australia's wicket-keeper woes?

Handscomb effected a run out to send Azhar Ali back to the pavilion

After rain played spoilsport to delay the start of Day 3 of the 3rd Test, Australia were hit with another problem as their regular wicketkeeper, Matthew Wade, walked off the field after two overs on Day 3 complaining of a stomach bug.

Wade wasn't feeling too well and it was confirmed that Australia would have to do the rest of the day without him. But they had a backup option readily available in their playing eleven in Peter Handscomb.

Handscomb has kept at all levels of domestic cricket and even has 4 stumpings to his name in first-class cricket. The newcomer in the Test squad has been making headlines for his remarkable form with the willow and he was soon in business behind the stumps, completing a clean run out to send back Azhar Ali. Did Wade's career walk off the field along with him?

#4 Horrible mix up ends Azhar Ali's innings

Ali scored a patient 71 before being run out

Younis Khan and Azhar Ali were batting well and frustrated Australian bowlers with their 146-run stand. However, all of that came to a grinding halt courtesy some reckless running.

Younis flicked Lyon wide off mid-on and called for a single. His partner was ball watching and responded very late to the call. Younis was well over the half way mark when Azhar Ali realised a run was on, and there was no way he could make the crease from there.

Starc completed a sharp throw to part-time wicketkeeper, Handscomb, who whipped off the bails in a flash to catch Azhar Ali well short of his crease. His 71 had put Pakistan in a better position but with a vulnerable middle order, they needed more from the pair.

#3 Younis holds fort amongst the ruins

Younis Khan finally showed form and scored a century

Younis Khan had been in wretched form right through the series and critics were lashing out at the veteran’s performances. However, the middle order batsman silenced them all with a gritty knock that started on Day 2.

He played out a terrific spell from Starc and Hazlewood on Day 3 and proceeded to his 70s when he lost his stable partner, Azhar Ali, to a run-out. However, Younis was unperturbed and went on to notch up his 34th Test hundred and first in Australia.

Wickets tumbled around him as captain Misbah, Shafiq and keeper Sarfraz fell in quick succession. But Younis held strong amongst the ruins frustrating Australia who were looking for a follow-on early.

#2 Lyon impresses to keep his place safe

Lyon was the star with the ball, picking up 3 wickets

With the Indian tour in the offing, Australia needed their spinners to come to the party on a decent track at Sydney. Lyon was impressive as he looped the ball and got turn and bounce from the surface.

He troubled Misbah-ul-Haq to no end, finally eking out a top edge of a slog sweep from the Pakistani skipper that was pouched by Bird in the deep. Lyon went on to remove Amir, tempting him with a flighted ball outside off-stump that turned away, catching the edge of his bat to the slips. He had Wahab Riaz bowled to finish with three in the innings thus far.

There were calls to drop Lyon after they lost the series to the Proteas at Hobart. But an injury to O'Keefe meant he kept his place and he bowled well at Adelaide. He went from strength to strength in the series against Pakistan, showcasing his value to the side.

#1 Pakistan forget to fight as Australia recover from losses

Australia are firmly in the driver’s seat

Not long ago Pakistan were the no.1 Test side in the world. But now they have lost five Tests in a row and are staring down the barrel in the sixth, with anything but a loss being a bonus from hereon.

They have been beaten mercilessly by a superior bowling and batting unit. Australia had lost to Sri Lanka and Proteas and were forced to swap many personnel from their Test side as a result of their poor performances.

A couple of young faces and fresh energy has helped Australia big time as they were dominant right through this series. Pakistan could take a leaf out of their book and chop and change a tired looking aged Test side.