Warner blasts fifty, Australia 117-1 at tea, day 3

Sydney: David Warner smashed the second-fastest fifty in test history on Friday to power Australia to 117-1 in its second inning a lead of 340 runs over Pakistan at tea on the fourth day of the third test at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Three days after becoming the first Australian to hit a century in the first session of a test, Warner blasted a half-century from just 23 balls, with seven fours and three sixes.

The fastest 50 in Test history remains the 21-ball blast by Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq against Australia at Abu Dhabi in 2014.

Warner was dismissed four balls later for 55, bowled by Wahab Riaz as he attempted to hit over mid-wicket.

At tea, Usman Khawaja, opening in place of the concussed Matt Renshaw, was a more placid 30 not out with captain Steve Smith unbeaten on 25.

Pakistan was without bowler Mohammad Amir, who was having scans on a side strain picked up in training earlier in the day.

Earlier, Josh Hazelwood (4-55) took the remaining two wickets in Pakistan’s innings to bowl the tourists out for 315, trailing Australia by 223 runs.

Younis Khan made 175 not out off 334 balls, with 18 fours and three sixes, including a huge six over long-on off Nathan Lyon (3-115) to reach his 150, for the 13th time in his test career.

The 114-Test veteran Younis is now 58 runs shy of becoming the 13th player and first from Pakistan to score 10,000 runs.

Smith opted against enforcing the follow-on, giving his bowlers some rest ahead a likely declaration later Friday as Australia pushed for a series clean sweep.

Earlier Friday, Australia team doctor Peter Brukner said opening batsman Renshaw had been ruled out for the r