England v Australia: Cardiff 1st Test Day 3

A sunny/cloudy day greeted the two teams on the third day in Cardiff. Despite a positive start by Australia, England fought back well to take the plaudits in the morning session and at lunch the tourists were 4 for 348, 87 runs behind.

Ponting and Katich continued where they left off yesterday and looked in control against the spin both scoring freely,albeit slowly, Ponting the more aggressive of the pair. Katich was the first wicket to fall when Jimmy Anderson had Katich caught leg before to an in swinging delivery. Although it took umpire Doctrove an age to acknowledge the wicket it was plumb and a great piece of bowling from Anderson.

The wicket on 299 ended a 239 run partnership, vital for England’s hopes of regaining control of the Test match. Ponting continued to take the game to England hooking Flintoff for a no ball maximum just clearing Panesar fielding at deep long leg to take the total to 2 for 325.

Anderson struck for the second time in the innings when he tempted “Mr Cricket” to feather the ball to Prior behind the stumps, 3 for 325 and Australia on the racks. A bowling change from Strauss brought the downfall of Ricky Ponting, a huge wicket, who had just seen his way to his 13^th 150+ score of his career. Panesar replaced Anderson and Ponting, playing a rather loose shot, chooped the ball onto his off stump and the maestro was on his way to the safety of the sheds. A magnificent innings ended.

Both Clarke and North looked nervy but made it to lunch without any major problems.

The afternoon session beckoned and despite a good return in the morning session, the England bowling attack couldn’t buy a wicket between them and Phillip Hughes remains the only batsman to have fallen in the three afternoon sessions so far.

Broad gifted the batsmen with cheap runs including North’s first runs in his fledgling Ashes career. The debutant played a delightful on-drive to settle his nerves. Clarke at the other end looked assured against the spin of Panesar and Swann, hitting Panesar for a maximum, the second of the match effortlessly.

North, buoyed by his fine knock of 191 against the England Lions last week started to play freely but well within himself. It was a mature performance for a debutant and together with Clarke the pair put on 143 runs in 42 overs.

The tea interval came and went but along with the break came the inclement and unexpected weather. The teams stayed off the pitch for a further two hours but when play resumed Clarke continued where he left off.

It wasn’t all gloom and doom for the home side, playing for the first time in Britain under lights (in a Test), for they captured the crucial wicket of Clarke 17 runs short of his century. With play unlikely tomorrow according to local weather reports the game is looking set for a draw.

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