Mike Hussey hit 81 not out to lead Australia to 220 for five when play was abandoned early on the second day of the first Ashes Test against England yesterday.
Hussey, aided by a solid 22 not out from Brad Haddin, arrested a second session slide and helped the hosts end the day just 40 runs behind England’s first innings total of 260 when bad light and rain stopped play at the Gabba.
After Australia had put on 143 for the loss of Shane Watson’s wicket in the morning, England’s bowlers finally got the breakthrough they had been seeking.
PHOTO: AFP
James Anderson, who had accounted for Watson in the morning, came out firing after lunch and got immediate reward with the key wicket of Ricky Ponting.
The Australia captain, who made 196 in his corresponding innings on the last England tour of Australia, was caught by wicketkeeper Matt Prior after attempting to glance the ball down the leg side.
Anderson’s fellow quick Steve Finn kept up the pressure with his first Ashes wicket, dismissing Simon Katich caught and bowled after the opener had survived a couple of scares to reach 50.
Hussey, under pressure for his place in the side after a thin run of form, wasted no time in taking the game to the English, hitting 18 runs off two overs from spinner Graeme Swann.
England’s bowlers retook the initiative, however, with another two wickets in quick succession.
Michael Clarke had endured a torrid examination, including a TV review of a suspected inside edge, when Finn snared him caught behind by Prior for nine.
Swann had by now tightened up his line and got his reward when Marcus North was dismissed for one courtesy of a good low catch by Paul Collingwood at slip.
SRI LANKA V WINDIES
AFP, COLOMBO
No play was possible due to rain on the penultimate day of the second Test between Sri Lanka and the West Indies in Colombo yesterday.
The West Indies were 165-5 in their first innings in reply to Sri Lanka’s 387-9 declared on Thursday. Carlton Baugh was unbeaten on four and Dwayne Bravo was one not out.
With just one day remaining, the Test is heading for a draw.
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