Re: Pakistan vs Australia, 3rd Test, Hobart Jan 14-18, 2010
Australia will want to ask Pakistan to chase around 450, and won't declare before lunch. Closer to tea, most likely.
Ponting's strategy reminds me of mohalla cricket, where the objective is to do as much batting as possible (rather than necessarily win matches). Always bat first when you win the toss (since you're not playing for money, make the bowling side toil). No matter what happens, always spend as much time as possible when batting (what's the fun in getting the other side out for 30 in a 10 over game, and then finishing off the runs in 3 overs).