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.