Australia captain Ricky Ponting led from the front with a commanding innings of 150 as the Ashes holders regained the advantage in the first Test against England here yesterday.
Australia captain Ricky Ponting led from the front with a commanding innings of 150 as the Ashes holders regained the advantage in the first Test against England here yesterday.
Australia, at stumps on the third day at Sophia Gardens, were 479 for five a lead of 44 runs. Marcus North, making his Ashes debut, was 54 not out and Brad Haddin four not out.
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Michael Clarke of Australia walks back after being dismissed by Stuart Broad of England for 83 during Day Three of the first Ashes Test in Cardiff yesterday. PIC/GETTY IMAGES |
Ponting and opener Simon Katich (122) had both rammed home how wasteful a trio of England batsmen, including Kevin Pietersen, had been in not going on after making first-day fifties.
But the weather, which stopped play for more than two hours in the final session because of a rain break, was threatening to play a decisive role.
Historic lightsAn already historic match - this was the first Test played in Wales - became even more so when the floodlights were switched on in the final session to enable play to re-start following a rain break of more than two hours.
It was the first time an England home Test had been floodlit but after 28 minutes the umpires ruled the conditions unsuitable and, after conferring with the batsmen, called play off.
Unfortunately for Australia, that was enough time for them to lose vice-captain Michael Clarke for 83 when he gloved a hook off Stuart Broad to wicket-keeper Matt Prior. The manner of Clarke's dismissal was unexpected as he'd batted with authority during a 145-ball innings featuring a six and nine fours.
It also meant more disappointment in the first Test of an Ashes series for Clarke, who was also in sight of a hundred when out for 91 at Lord's in 2005. "It would have been special, not so much for that (the century) but because I would have like to have been there at the end of the day's play," Clarke told reporters. "I was just disappointed to get out like that.
"The lights were okay. I've no excuses for my dismissal. I've just found out it was the first time they were used in Test in England (and Wales) so mark me down for the first wicket.
Turning to Ponting and Katich's second-wicket partnership of 239, he added: "Ricky and Simon worked really hard to get in and then made the most of it. They played beautifully. Looking ahead, occasional slow left-armer Clarke said: "If we can get some more runs tomorrow (Saturday) Nathan Hauritz and all the part-time spinners will definitely play a big part."
Slow pitchA slow pitch, not for the first time in this match, proving more of an obstacle to bowlers than batsmen and England, who had broken through with the new-ball before lunch, endured a wicketless second session where Australia scored 110 runs. Clarke and North were rarely troubled in a fifth-wicket partnership of 143 with Clarke especially playing some sparkling shots.
Tough day"It was a tough day," said England seamer James Anderson, who struck twice with the new ball to get rid of Katich and Michael Hussey. "All credit to them, they played well," added a listless Anderson, whose tired tone may have had something to do with his going off the field at one point because he felt dizzy.
But we are not thinking about a draw. We've got a big session in the morning which we will decide whether win the game or not."
