(Photo by Tom Shaw/Getty Images)
Australia ended day three of the first npower Ashes Test on 479-5, continuing their dominance with the bat from day two. They now hold a first innings lead of 44 runs with five wickets remaining, and now have the upper hand with a sizable first innings lead looking a mere formality.
England continued with the old ball that had failed to swing the day before, no breakthrough was made as both Ponting and Katich continued from where they had left off.
When the new ball arrived it was James Anderson who made an immediate impact, trapping Katich for 122 with a full swinging delivery. Anderson then struck again after Hussey edged to Prior.
Soon after this brace Ponting reached his 150 but fell in unfortunate circumstances inside edging a delivery from Monty Panesar onto his own wicket. This brought Michael Clarke and Marcus North to the crease and just as Katich and Ponting had done on the previous day, the pair constructed a sizable partnership taking Australia past England.
Stuart Broad was rewarded for his patience despite his poor figures when he had Clarke caught by Prior from a short delivery for a classy 83. England will need to make quick inroads into the Aussie lower order and restrict the first innings advantage or face a large deficit and high pressure from the Australian attack during day four.
Man of the Day – Michael Clarke
Moment of the Day – Ricky Ponting reaches 150
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