Rookie Marsh leads the way

There's no getting away from it: for three consecutive innings in subcontinental conditions, Australia's batsmen have underperformed.

In Dubai they overplayed the spin, as coach Darren Lehmann observed they were "playing for something that wasn't there".

In Abu Dhabi it has been much the same story after they were bowled out for 261 in their first innings.

By stumps on the third day Pakistan had extended their lead to 370, with apparent intentions on batting Australia completely out of the contest.

Quick Single: Aussies skittled, Pakistan build lead

Michael Clarke received what was probably the ball of the series, curtailing an innings that had been his best of the series and given a glimmer of hope of an Australian fightback.

Imran Khan, a 27-year-old playing his second Test, from Pakistan's northwest frontier and named after the legendary swing bowler, produced late and prodigious reverse swing that came in through the gate to uproot the Australian captain's middle stump when on 47.

It was a devastating ball, but otherwise wickets were too easily gifted.

"There's no doubt that we didn't make enough runs as a batting group this innings," said Mitchell Marsh, Australia's top scorer with 87.

"The wicket is pretty flat, their spinners bowled really well, they got the ball reverse swinging and it was a good all-round effort from their bowling attack.

"They put us under the pump and bowled us out but we will keep fighting."

There's no doubting the Australian spirit and fight – they went down swinging to the last. But question marks remain over technique and temperament in these conditions.

Marsh is also playing in his second Test and displayed some of the enormous potential that saw him elevated to a Baggy Green in spite of a first-class batting average of 28.

A double-century against India A during the winter was followed by a sensational showing for Australia against Zimbabwe and South Africa in the recent ODI tri-series.

Marsh's 89 off 83 balls against hosts Zimbabwe and 86 off 51 deliveries including three successive sixes off South Africa's Dale Steyn showcased the powerful allrounder's potential in the limited-overs format.

"Over the last 12 months I have matured as a batsman and I have worked out what works for me," said Marsh.

"I probably got a little bit caught up when I came into the first-class scene of trying to play too cute and look like a real batsman, rather than just going out there, backing my own ability and taking the game on.

"Because that is when I play my best cricket and that is when most players play their best cricket.

"Things are working for me at the moment and I've had an opportunity to work hard on those areas of my game and hopefully I can keep scoring runs for Australia."

Marsh was on 87 – a taboo number for Australian cricketers, being 13 away from a century – when he bunted a full toss straight to mid-on. He stood at the wicket in disbelief. It was essentially the first chance he had offered in his innings.

"It was obviously very disappointing to get out the way I did," said Marsh. "I just went out there and tried to play my natural game.

"Obviously it was a little bit tough losing a few wickets around me, but I just tried to put it out of my head and bat the way I do.

"It was good fun to get a few runs but we are behind the eight-ball in this match

Marsh joked that batting in his second Test match was easier, mainly because he "didn’t have about 25 of the Marsh clan in the stands watching".

"I certainly learnt a few lessons from Dubai and the first real time I have faced a spin attack like that with the added pressure of it being my first Test," said Marsh.

"I want to continue learning around different wickets in the world."