Australian batsmen in control
Simon Katich made 46 from 48 balls, hitting eight boundaries
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By inthenews. |  |
Thursday, 30, Jul 2009 07:49
Australia's batsmen took control of the third Test at Edgbaston after winning the toss and electing to bat.
A waterlogged outfield forced a very late start, with just 30 overs available in a day's play that began at 17:00 BST. The tourists closed on 126-1.
All-rounder Shane Watson, replacing 20-year-old opener Phillip Hughes, scored his second Test 50 in his first ever innings batting higher than number six. Opening partner Simon Katich hit a run-a-ball 46 before being trapped lbw pulling a short ball from Graeme Swann.
Watson will start tomorrow's play on 62, with captain Ricky Ponting alongside him on 17.
But Australia have been rocked by an injury that occurred just before the start of today's play, as wicketkeeper Brad Haddin broke his finger in the warm-up.
Even though the injury took place after the toss, England allowed Haddin to be replaced by substitute glovesman Graham Manou, who makes his Test debut. The visitors could have been forced to play with ten men and no specialist wicketkeeper.
England looked ineffectual in the two hours' play, bowling loosely and allowing the batsmen to settle. At one point Australia were coasting along at nearly six an over, having hit 16 boundaries in 18 overs. Watson dismissed any questions of pressure in his makeshift opening role, while Katich picked off poor balls with relish.
All three Australian batsmen did survive close lbw appeals, but of five England bowlers used only Swann impressed in a brief two-over spell.
Huw Davies