Australia in sight of third Test draw
Michael Clarke and Marcus North took Australia closer to the safety
of a draw on the final day of the third Ashes Test here at Edgbaston on
Monday.At tea, Australia were 293 for four in their second innings - a
lead of 180 - with England still to bat again.
|
Ashes stars in security alert
|
Police confirmed Monday security was increased around the England and
Australia dressing rooms on the final day of the third Ashes Test here
at Edgbaston.
Extra stewards were drafted in to the pavilion area at lunch
following a tip-off but security was back at standard levels during the
first hour of the afternoon session.
A West Midlands Police spokesman said: “We can confirm there was a
short security alert at Edgbaston this (Monday) afternoon.
“Officers at the scene investigated and found this to be nothing of
concern. The incident has now been declared safe.”
BIRMINGHAM, AFP |
Australia vice-captain Clarke was 73 not out and left-hander North
unbeaten on 64 after they’d batted through the second of the day’s three
sessions in a stand so far worth 132.
England, looking to go 2-0 up in the five-match series with two to
play ahead of next week’s fourth Test at Headingley, had a chance for
victory after reducing Australia to 172 for four - effectively 59 for
four - at lunch following the exit of Michael Hussey for 64, caught
behind off Stuart Broad. But the swing that had proved so potent for
them earlier in the match was missing and, in good batting conditions,
their attack struggled.
That England had a shot at winning was remarkable given that two
days’ play had been lost to bad weather, including Saturday’s complete
wash-out.
But Clarke, whose footwork was a feature of his innings, stiffened
Australia’s resistance with several driven boundaries off Graham Onions.
And with Australia 203 for four, 90 ahead, England captain Andrew
Strauss turned to inspirational all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, who had
already starred with the bat in this match.
However, there was a worrying moment for England when Flintoff, who
has been struggling with a right knee injury, saw his left foot give way
underneath him as he fell in his delivery stride. Fortunately for
England, Flintoff - the bowling hero of England’s 115-run second Test
win at Lord’s - continued his spell. Strauss brought on occasional
medium-pacer Ravi Bopara and his second ball almost yielded a wicket
when Clarke, on 38, pulled fiercely only for the captain to drop the
tough chance at short mid-wicket with Australia 106 ahead. And that was
as close as England came to breaking the stand and reigniting their
victory bid.
They took the new ball as soon as it was available, after 80 overs,
with Australia 136 in front.
BIRMINGHAN, AFP
Australia first innings 263
(S. Watson 62, J. Anderson 5-80)
England 1st Innings 376 (A Flintoff 74, A Strauss 69, S Broad 55, I Bell 53; B Hilfenhaus 4-109, P Siddle 3-89)
Australia 2nd Innings (overnight: 88-2)
S. Watson c Prior b Anderson 53
S. Katich c Prior b Onions 26
R. Ponting b Swann 5
M. Hussey c Prior b Broad 64
M. Clarkenot out 73
M. North not out 64
EXTRAS(B-4, LB-2, W-1, NB-1) 8
TOTAL(4 wkts,) 293
To bat: G Manou, M Johnson, N Hauritz, P Siddle, B Hilfenhaus
FALL OF WICKETS: 1-47 (Katich), 2-52 (Ponting), 3-137 (Watson), 4-161 (Hussey)
BOWLING: Anderson 21-8-47-1 (1nb); Flintoff 15-0-35-0; Onions 19-3-74-1 (1w);
Swann 27-4-99-1; Broad 8-2-18-1; Bopara 3-0-14-0
|
