Australia take narrow lead

Skipper Steve Smith scored his 17th Test century to give Australia a 22-run lead over Pakistan as rain again disrupted play in the second Test in Melbourne on Thursday.

Smith reached his fourth Test hundred of the year before a storm lashed the Melbourne Cricket Ground just before tea and forced the rest of the fourth day's play to be abandoned.

Smith was unbeaten on 100 with Mitchell Starc not out seven in Australia's 465 for six.

It is unlikely there will be a result in the Test with just Friday's final day to play.

The Australians were hoping to build a 100-plus run lead to try and put the tourists under pressure on the final day in the weather-disrupted Test.

SCORES IN BRIEF

PAKISTAN: First innings 443 for 9 decl

AUSTRALIA: First innings 465 for 6 (Warner 144, Khawaja 97, Smith 100 not out, Handscomb 54; Sohail 2-86, Yasir 2-150, Riaz 2-135)