Clarke heroics put Aussies on top
Australia captain Michael Clarke led from the front as England suffered their share of Decision Review System (DRS) angst on the first day of the third Ashes Test at Old Trafford. Australia were 303/3 at stumps in Manchester, with Clarke, who won the toss, scored a breezing ton 125 not out. Steven Smith, who survived two unsuccessful England reviews as the hosts used up all their challenges for the innings, was 70 not out after so far helping Clarke add an unbroken 172 for the fourth wicket.
The tourists lost just one wicket in the session when opener Chris Rogers, in sight of a maiden Test hundred, was lbw to off-spinner Graeme Swann for 84. In a match Australia, 2-0 down, had to win to regain the Ashes -- a drawn series would see holders England retain the urn -- Clarke opted to bat first after winning the toss despite his side being dismissed for just 128 in the first innings of their 347-run second Test defeat at Lord’s.
Although Australia had recalled David Warner, usually an opening batsman, they stuck with all-rounder Shane Watson and left-hander Rogers as their first wicket duo. The pair responded by putting on 76 before Watson was caught at first slip by England captain Alastair Cook for 19 off first change Tim Bresnan after James Anderson, on his Lancashire home ground, and Stuart Broad had seen several good outswingers go unrewarded. The 35-year-old Rogers scored briskly to complete a 49-ball fifty, including 10 fours, with two successive boundaries off Anderson. But after 81 minutes Watson, as he is prone to do, pushed firmly forward and edged Bresnan to Cook.
Australia PM Rudd blasts khwaja decision
MANCHESTER: Australia Prime Minister Kevin Rudd added his voice to the latest Ashes umpiring controversy on Thursday by blasting the dismissal of Usman Khawaja as ‘one of the worst’ decisions he has ever seen. Khawaja was given out by on-field umpire Tony Hill having made just one with Australia at 92 for two on the first day of the third Test at Old Trafford.
‘I’ve just sat down to watch the Test,’ tweeted Rudd. ‘That was one of the worst cricket umpiring decisions I have ever seen.’ Former Austalia leg-spinner Shane Warne was stunned by the decision, the latest in a series of controversies involving technology in the Ashes.
