England v Australia 1st Test Cardiff Day 4
Considering the atrocious overnight weather forecast, the rain never materialised until the tea session, long after Australia closed a tired England out of the game.
Marcus North and Brad Haddin, both Ashes debutants, shared a double century partnership before Haddin’s attempt to increase the run rate brought about his downfall and a declaration from Ricky Ponting with an insurmountable lead of 239 runs.
It was a master stroke of a declaration from Ponting, forcing England to bat for a little over half an hour in failing light and worsening conditions. Two wickets fell in the short period and England face an uphill battle tomorrow to save the first Test.
Earlier North and Haddin punished a lacklustre England who appeared to be intent on taking as long as possible between deliveries. Strauss missed a trick by failing to introduce the spin of either Panesar or Swann for a full hour and only then with a fairly new ball – decisions made by England in the field made little sense.
Despite the muggy conditions and cloud cover, the seamers failed to make the ball swing and it became evident, as soon as spin was introduced, that the batsmen looked uncomfortable with a turning wicket. However, the damage had been done and England were looking ragged and clueless.
North and Haddin stepped up the run rate in the afternoon session, Haddin bludgeoning three huge sixes on his way to his 121.
With Haddin and North joining yesterday’s century makers Ponting and Katich, it marked the first time Australia had scored four centuries in an innings against England. By the time Haddin had holed out to Bopara at deep midwicket the innings total marked Australia’s highest total since the 701 scored in 1934 at the Oval and their fourth highest ever in Ashes history.
Haddin’s wicket brought about the anticipated declaration leaving England to bat for 33 minutes and a first innings deficit of 239.
Cook was the first casualty when he played all around a full swinging delivery from Johnson and umpire Daar had no hesitation in raising the finer. Bopara didn’t last long and when Hilfenhaus appealed for a leg before decision he was the beneficiary of a questionable decision, the ball appearing to be on its way over the wicket according to Hawkeye.
Pietersen came in at number four and together with Strauss saw out the remaining few balls before the tea interval and rain brought a premature end to the day’s proceedings. England closed on 2 for 20, still 219 runs behind and eight wickets left.
