Australia make fine start to third Ashes Test. by Andy Jalil

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Scorecard:	England v Australia
Event:	Australia in British Isles 2013

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DateLine: 1st August 2013

 

By Andy Jalil at Old Trafford.
In association with INVESTEC.

 

Andy Jalil at Old Trafford In association with INVESTEC © Pakistan Cricket Website

 

Manchester – Australia’ s hopes that this third Investec Test will be the turning point in the Ashes series after being two nil down, would have risen considerably after Michael Clarke with an unbeaten 125, his 24th Test century, led them to 303 for three at stumps on the first day. Supporting him with a fine innings of 70 not out was Steve Smith as they put on 174 in an unbroken fourth wicket stand.

 

Having made a solid opening stand for only the second time in the series, Australia earlier lost three wickets in a space of 53 runs. In the second Test Australia had put on 84 without loss only to lose six in a space of 77 runs. It wasn’t as bad this time as Chris Rogers, in fine form and Shane Watson had 76 on the scoreboard before Watson was held at first slip for 19.

 

Rogers played fluent strokes from the start having opened his account with a four and soon brought up Australia’s 50 with a lovely cover drive, following that with a perfectly driven straight four off Tim Bresnan. He was even more aggressive on James Anderson taking three boundaries in one over the second of which to extra cover took him to his second Test half century, the second of the series, and he followed that with a beautiful square cut.

 

With Rogers on 62, Usman Khawaja was held behind off Graeme Swann and his request for a review of the decision went against him as it proved inconclusive to overturn the on-field umpire’s decision. Rogers and Michael Clarke then added 47 for the third wicket but within half an hour into the second session Swann struck for the second time in a space of 19 balls trapping Rogers lbw for 84 from 114 balls 14 of which he hit to the boundary.

 

The task of bringing about a recovery fell on Clarke and Smith who took the side to tea on 180 without further loss. Clarke had meanwhile brought up his second half century in successive Test innings and the 28th of his Test career when he pulled Bresnan for his seventh four. Both batsmen played with increased confidence in the final session picking up runs with quick singles and twos.

 

Clarke took his score to 87 with a perfectly timed square cut off Anderson and the next boundary was a stylish off drive off Bresnan to get to 95. Smith meanwhile picked up two consecutive fours off Swann, going down the pitch to drill a straight drive followed by a square cut which saw him into the forties. Clarke final reached three figures turning Swann to mid-wicket for a quick single and that was followed by Smith’s fifth Test fifty.

 

England took the second new ball as soon as it became due but it had no impression on the batsmen who continued to score steadily in the evening sunshine but taking little chances as they approached close of play. Clarke’s excellent innings spanned four and three quarter hours during which he faced 208 balls while Smith batted for an hour less facing 150 balls.

 

(Article: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author only.
Copyright © 2013 Andy Jalil)