Wickets put England in trouble
Cook is trapped lbw to begin England's batting woes
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Saturday, 11, Jul 2009 05:28
England are facing an uphill battle to save the first Test against Australia after being reduced to 20-2 in their second innings before rain brought an early end to the fourth day.
Opener Alastair Cook (6) was the first to go after Mitchell Johnson trapped him in front of his stumps after a straight delivery.
And the misery was compounded for the home side when number three Ravi Bopara (1) was out lbw from a Ben Hilfenhaus ball that swung away slightly and struck his pad in the sixth over.
Earlier, the tourists declared on 674-6, following two more centuries from Brad Haddin (110) and Marcus North (125 not out) to add to earlier tons from Ricky Ponting (150) and Simon Katich (122).
Despite the toils of England's bowlers in the field, a zesty Australian seam attack immediately found some movement on what looks to be a fairly flat wicket in Cardiff.
But the efforts of Johnson and Hilfenhaus were halted by the tea break and the players remained off the field due to rain in south Wales throughout the scheduled final session on the fourth day.
As it stands England, who were bowled out for 435 in the first innings, are 219 runs behind Australia.