3rd test day two

SCOREBOARD: Australia 527-7 dec. (Clarke 189, Smith 89, Rogers 84, Haddin 65* Starc 66* Swann 5-159) England 52-2 (Cook 36*, Trott 2*, Siddle 2-7)

And so, on the second day of the third Test in Manchester, Australia once again proved that there could still be life in this Ashes series. The Aussies very much won the day, eventually declaring in the evening session at a mammoth 527-7. Even better for them, by the close England were already two wickets down after a brilliant spell from Peter Siddle right at the death.

The day, however, belonged to the skipper, the tenacious and wonderfully skilled Michael Clarke.
Last year he made one triple century and two doubles, but after an uncertain start to his tour it was a big relief for the Aussie supporters to finally see their best player give his side a platform on which to build. After the loss of Steve Smith, who only added 19 to his overnight score, Clarke stepped up a gear and gave Swann in particular a real hiding in the afternoon session.

Clarke's wagon wheel showing his 187 runs.

Swann, though did take advantage of a real turner of a pitch by getting Smith out in his first over of the day; albeit helped significantly by a stupid shot from the Aussie no.5, attempting to hit Swann down the ground when just 11 short of a maiden test hundred. Jonny Bairstow took a simple catch at mid-wicket to break the fourth wicket stand worth a staggering 214.

The recalled David Warner took the wicket to a chorus of boos and it wasn't really a surprise to see him depart soon after arriving for a scratchy 5. He clearly edged to Trott at slip, giving Swann his fourth wicket, but then asked for a review. It was clear he had hit it and the bad boy of the side (and, it appears, the new pantomime villain) had to walk. Before that, though, Clarke reached 150 with a boundary off Tim Bresnan through backward point, incredibly the 9th time in his Test career he has done so. The Aussie leader went to lunch at 168 not out, joined by Brad Haddin, with his side sitting pretty at 392-5.

Clarke was eventually undone chopping on a short ball to give Stuart Broad his 200th Test wicket, while Swann completed his 17th Test five-wicket haul when he bowled Siddle for 1. The captain ended on 187 runs, scored off 314 balls, with 23 4's. The rest of the session was bad for England bowlers as Haddin and Mitchell Starc completed rapid half-centuries, leaving the tourists 507-7 at tea. 20 quick runs were added before Clarke waved his side off, leaving Australia in a commanding position.  For that they owed almost everything to the captain who remains their one world-class player. Michael Clarke was within 13 runs of the fourth double of his Test career which, together with a triple, marks him out as one of the very best batsmen of his generation.

Swann apart, who the conditions suited, it was a day to forget for the England bowlers. Far from England being reliant on Anderson, it seemed at times Cook didn't really want to throw him the ball. Playing on his home ground he went for 116 runs off 33 overs. Indeed, all of the main bowlers went for a 'century' of runs, and in hindsight it might've been worth picking the extra spinner in Panesar- certainly this pitch is only going to take more spin from now on.

England then faced Australia for a nerve racking 30 overs. The openers seemed to have seen off the swing of Harris and Starc and looked set. But Nathan Lyon was introduced for his first bowl of the tour and things changed. At first he bowled in tandem with Shane Watson, who incredibly bowled 5 straight maidens. This gave Lyon opportunity to attack and the right armed offie twice was close to finding Joe Root's edge.

His flight, dip and turn left England's batsmen uncertain and he built pressure: 51 of his 60 deliveries were dot balls. Certainly he gave the selectors reason to regret leaving him out at Trent Bridge and Lord's. There, they had gambled on Ashton Agar, a 19-year-old still learning his craft. Agar failed to take a wicket at Lord's; Lyon almost certainly would've.

Eventually the pressure told as Clarke introduced Siddle for a fast 5 over spell at the death. His pace and bounce caused problems and Root nicked behind off a good length for 8 off 57 balls, an uncertain knock that he will not be pleased with. Nightwatchman Bresnan followed to the same combination, given out off the bottom edge after attempting a pull shot. Bresnan looked unhappy, especially when replays showed distance between bat and ball, but Cook, who hadn't made a mistake yet in his own, patient innings, decided to save the review for more important batsman.

Clarke said afterwards to the BBC: "We worked exceptionally hard in the lead-up to this Test match and it was nice to get a result. But the wicket is pretty flat, there's not much movement and we'll have to work even harder over the next three days to win this Test match. But our bowlers have got the discipline. I was also really pleased with the way Nathan Lyon bowled - he got a little bit of spin but, more importantly, there was also some bounce there, so I think he's going to play a big part."

The hosts still need 276 runs to avoid the follow on at the end of a thrilling day. With Cook and Trott at the crease England will hope to bat all day tomorrow, which would practically ensure the Ashes remaining here until the winter.  But this was Australia's day, and for once their batting has stood up and given their overworked bowling attack a foothold in the game. Scoreboard pressure is a cruel mistress and with Siddle and Lyon bowling well, the tourists will look forward to tomorrow immensely.

Thanks for reading, Adam.

3rd Test Day one at Old Trafford

SCOREBOARD: Australia 303-3 (Clarke 125* Rogers 84, Smith 70*, Swann 2-82)

Never write off the Aussies.

As comprehensively as they were outplayed at Lord's, you still felt there was no way this side would just lie down and take a hammering, and so it proved, with Captain Michael Clarke leading from the front, after a terrific, battling ton at Old Trafford. The newly rebuilt ground hosted it's first Test since 2010 and the Mancunian crowd could only watch on in admiration, as the best all round batsman in world cricket at the moment (in my opinion anyway) finally turned on the style.

Clarke scored what could only be described as a vital century as Australia breathed life into their Ashes campaign by dominating the opening day of the third Test against England. Australia won the toss and reached 303-3 by the close with Clarke unbeaten on 125 and Steve Smith still with him on 70. The pair put on an unbroken 174 for the fourth wicket after opener Chris Rogers set the tone for Australia's first successful batting display of the series with a positive 84. It was a much needed and much improved batting display from a team who know they must win the Test to remain in with a chance of taking the urn back Down Under.

"I know! I've just saved you lot AGAIN!"

It was time for the tourists to go for it or lose, so changes were needed. Phil Hughes may have been one of Australia's better players thus far, with his 81 at Trent Bridge showing what is required. But two failures at Lord's cost him his place, and David Warner, Joe Root's best mate, was picked in his place after a century for Australia A in their tour of Africa. Warner's recall was one of three changes for Australia, who brought in Nathan Lyon and Starc for Ashton Agar and James Pattinson.

They desperately needed a good start after six Test losses in a row and they got one with Chris Rogers determined not to blow his opportunity in the Test side. He went out fighting and chalked up a half century off just 49 balls, as Shane Watson once again looked good against the opening bowlers. Rogers dispelled his image as a tough, gritty opener, hitting numerous boundaries.

But as usual, Watson wasted a good start, Tim Bresnan dismissing him for just 19 and leaving the tourists at 76-1. Bresnan was getting some extra bounce and found Watson's edge leaving Captain Cook to take an easy catch at first slip. Only 6 runs were added before another wicket fell, this time it was Graeme Swann the triumphant bowler, as he dismissed Usman Khawaja for 1. Khawaja scored a fluent fifty in the second innings at Lord's but here looked uncertain as Swann, always successful against the left handers, got him with a ball that turned away, with Prior taking a smart catch. It was a decision upheld on review despite Hot Spot revealing no mark on his bat.

Michael Clarke was in a no. 4. Clarke had always been dead against moving up the order, and one stat demonstrated why- Clarke had never before scored a hundred at 4. While batting at five the New South Wales man averaged over 60, the position above his key stat tumbled to around 20. But such was the need for Clarke to show his class, he was convinced to do what was best for the team and bat where he should- as high up as possible. Clarke is probably the best player of spin in the world, so instantly Swann was removed from the attack and Anderson and Broad peppered Clarke with short deliveries.

Meanwhile, England seemingly couldn't stop the flow of Rogers, as he accelerated to 84, looking good for his first Test century. But then Swann was brought back, and he trapped Rogers in front with a wonderful ball that straightened sharply. Roger's front foot was too far forward and another left hander fell victim to Swann's off-spin. He decided not to review- good job too, as it was hitting middle stump- and a glorious knock came to an end. 84 runs, from 114 balls, with 14 4's- hardly the ponderous Rogers we saw in the first two Tests. At 129-3, England sensed another Australia collapse, especially as that ball now confirmed it- the pitch was made for top class spin.

Steve Smith came in at 5 which can't have pleased the traditionalists. Smith's technique- particulary on the off side- needs a whole lot of working on. But he has raw talent, raw ability, as well as terrific mental strength. It's this quality that saw him unbelievably make it to tea intact.

England thought they had snared Smith when Swann bowled a beauty to trap him in front, but the umpire was unmoved. After consultation with Hawk Eye, Swann's lbw appeal to Smith was rejected, the Aussie carried on.

England used up their second referral when a loud noise was made when Smith was driving outside off. Bowler James Anderson, wicketkeeper Matt Prior and the slips went up in unison to claim a catch off the edge of Smith's bat but umpire Marais Erasmus remained unmoved. Once again Hot Spot showed nothing and the umpire's decision stood. With no reviews left, the home side were therefore powerless to overturn Tony Hill's decision not to raise the finger when Stuart Broad trapped the same batsman in front of middle stump.

At the other end, drawing on all his expertise against spin bowling, Clarke got the better of off-spinner Swann in a fascinating duel on a wicket that turned from the start. His battle with Swann was enthralling - Clarke's superb footwork saw him come down the wicket on plenty of occasions, while he was rock solid - whether forward or well back - in defence. He eventually posted the first century by any Australian in six Tests. The visiting skipper's 24th Test century, off 169 balls, was reached in the evening session, and he was given a deserved standing ovation by the 25,000-strong crowd.  At 129-3, England sensed another Australia collapse, but Clarke's brilliance and Smith's good fortune ensured the day took a very different course..

"Australia have had an excellent day when they needed a good day and the captain, under significant personal pressure, played a gem of an innings," Mike Atherton told Sky Sports Ashes.
"Clarke has had a number of issues - the shocking performance of his team at Lord's, the fact he hadn't really stamped his authority on the series, and thirdly the issue of where he bats - but he confronted them superbly batting at four, where statistically he has not had much success.
"He is a fine player, one of the best in the game, but he needed to lead from the front and show that England's bowlers could be tamed - he had a beautiful little battle with Graeme Swann throughout the day - and [he did]." 

England's bowling stats. On a pitch unfriendly for seamers, Bresnan got surprisingly low economy figures. Anderson was ineffective for most of the day, while Broad's figures don't really do him justice.