England Lions v Australia
Day 1
Worryingly for Australia, a trend is beginning to form at a crucial point of the tour. The top order batsmen are anything but consistent and with less than a week before the first Test in Cardiff, Ricky Ponting, Phillip Hughes and Marcus North are severely lacking time in the middle. Match Scorecard
Ponting and Hughes who were both back in the safety of the sheds with the score on 24 had a baptism of fire with Steve Harmison keen to prove a point in a fiery opening spell. Ponting was hit on the shoulder and Hughes allowed Harmison’s first ball through to hit his helmet. Hughes never recovered and could not cope with Harmison’s aggression falling soon after for just seven runs.
Katich and Hussey steadied the ship with an impressive partnership of 141, a partnership that was ended by Katich’s hook to fine leg, onions happy to take the catch. Michael Clarke was the next to go falling to Rashid at point. Marcus North who no doubt will be keen to erase his last three innings lasted just five balls before he played on for one run, onions the bowler.
At tea Australia were sitting precariously on 6 for 215 with Hussey (82) still at the crease. Mitchell Johnson has, for the last year, been pushing for a genuine all rounder slot and following another fine effort with the bat (47) he has all but made it his own. Johnson who was rested for the first game against Sussex shared a 109 run partnership with Hussey before he gloved a Bresnan delivery behind.
Lee was the final wicket to fall on day one, clean bowled by Harmison who ended the first day with impressive figures of 3 for 67 off 22 overs. Australia were 8 for 337 at the close.
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