Aussies continue to frustrate England bowlers
Michael Clarke steered Australia past 450 before being dismissed for 83
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Friday, 10, Jul 2009 10:43
Australia comfortably passed England's first innings total before rain halted play on day three of the first Ashes Test in Cardiff.
The visitors reached 479-5, 44 runs ahead of England's total, when the players were forced off in the final session.
Before lunch, Australia lost Simon Katich, Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey as England took full advantage of the new ball.
James Anderson provided the initial breakthrough, removing Simon Katich lbw with an inswinging yorker.
Katich's 122 came off 261 balls and included 12 boundaries. Together with captain Ricky Ponting he put on 239 for the second wicket, taking Australia to 299-2.
Michael Hussey (3) then fell to Anderson shortly after in the 91st over, edging a catch into wicketkeeper Matt Prior's gloves, leaving Australia on 323-3.
Ponting was at his glorious best moving onto 150 from 221 balls, but fell a few balls after reaching the milestone when he played on to a delivery from Monty Panesar with the score at 331-4.
Since the loss of Ponting, Michael Clarke and Marcus North helped steady the ship and move Australia past 450.
Clarke was 17 runs away from his first Ashes ton away from home when he gloved a bouncer through to Prior off the bowling of Stuart Broad.
But with Marcus North unbeaten on 54 and wicketkeeper Brad Haddin on four not out, the Aussies will be looking to push for a commanding total on Saturday, weather permitting.