Cricket: Australia set Pakistan 176 to win

SYDNEY - Led by Mike Hussey's unbeaten 134, Australia have scored 381 in their second innings to set Pakistan a target of 176 runs to win the second test at the SCG.

Australia resumed on their overnight score of 286 for eight and survived until after lunch on day four, thanks to a record-breaking ninth-wicket partnership of 123 between Hussey and Peter Siddle.

The target of 176 gives Pakistan a difficult assignment and Australia's bowlers will have their tails up, although the SCG pitch is looking good for batting in sunny conditions after three days of favouring the seamers.

Siddle was finally out for 38 in the fifth over after lunch on Wednesday, caught at slip off Mohammad Asif's bowling at 380 for nine.

Doug Bollinger was out for a duck in the following over as legspinner Danish Kaneria claimed 5-151 from 47.5 overs.

It was Siddle's highest test score and came in 211 minutes of defiance.

Hussey struck 16 boundaries in his 6-1/2 hour innings, reaching his 11th test century off 196 balls.

The pair beat the 83-run stand between Bob Massie and John Watkins for Australia's ninth wicket against Pakistan in Sydney 37 years ago.

Hussey was dropped three times by wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal on day three off Kaneria's bowling.

Kamran also dropped Siddle on Wednesday from Mohammad Sami's bowling when the tailender was on 25 at 350 for eight.

Shane Watson hit 97 on day three, adding 105 for the first wicket with Phillip Hughes (37).

Watson has been a star of the test summer with 579 runs at 72.38.

But other specialist batsmen such as Marcus North (10 and 2) and skipper Ricky Ponting (0 and 11) have been thoroughly outplayed by the determined Siddle, whose previous highest score in 15 tests was 35.

- AAP