Australia rallies against England in third Test

By Vic Mills

MANCHESTER, England (JP): Having been precariously placed for much of the first day of the third cricket Test against England at Old Trafford, Australia rallied in the final session, thanks to an unbeaten century from Steve Waugh, to finish 224 for seven at stumps.

Confronted with a green wicket and helpful conditions, Australian captain Mark Taylor won the toss and took the unexpected decision to bat. A positive move that would enable his side to bowl last on what is expected to be deteriorating pitch.

Early morning news saw Jason Gillespie recalled to the Australian colors at the expense of Michael Kasprowicz, while England awarded a first Test cap to Dean Headley. In edging out Devon Malcolm and Mike Smith, the Kent seamer continued his family's dynasty; his father and grandfather having played for the West Indies.

Taylor (2) was soon to rue his decision to bat, as the England debutant had him caught at second slip by Graham Thorpe to leave Australia 9 for one. A full length delivery, pitched off stump and moving away, was enough to expose Taylor's negligible footwork and waning defensive skills.

An injudicious square cut by Greg Blewett (8) off Darren Gough, the bottom edge cannoning into the leg stump, brought England further success and reduced the tourists to 22 for two.

Matthew Elliot and Mark Waugh steadied the innings, although the challenging line and length of the England bowlers was proving restrictive with few bad deliveries which could be exploited.

Nor was there any respite when Andrew Caddick and Mark Ealham replaced Gough and Headley. For the bounce extracted by Caddick forced the batsmen onto the back foot, while the lower trajectory of Ealham brought them grudgingly onto the front foot.

Ealham eventually accounted for Waugh (12) as the stylish right-hander, having hit consecutive fours off the medium pacer, was drawn to push tentatively at a delivery he need not have played; Alec Stewart gleefully accepted the thinnest of edges to leave Australia 42 for three and a little less positive than earlier in the morning.

With a combination of luck and judgment, Elliot and Steve Waugh navigated the remainder of the morning session to leave the tourists 78 for three at lunch.

Rain and bad light disrupted the afternoon, but did little to break the concentration or accuracy of the England bowlers. Although the breakthrough, when it came, was more the product of inaccuracy.

Resumption

A rising delivery from Headley shortly after the resumption appeared to strike Elliot (40) on the elbow en route to wicketkeeper Stewart. Without the luxury of television replays, umpire Venkat ruled the Victorian caught behind.

When the Stewart-Headley partnership accounted for out-of-form Michael Bevan (7), Australia were deep in trouble at 113 for five. It was now that Steve Waugh, cast as the innocent bystander for much of the day, began to mount a rearguard action.

On the rare occasions that the bowlers erred in line or length, Waugh was quick to take advantage whether driving crisply through the covers or cutting savagely through backward point.

Wickets continued to fall, however, as Ian Healy (9) gloved a catch to Stewart off Caddick and Shane Warne (3) edged Ealham behind to give the Surrey keeper his fifth victim. Having batted themselves into a corner, Australia sought refuge in the tea interval at 162 for seven.

A further stoppage for bad light after tea saw the extra hour called into play. Seizing the initiative, Waugh and Paul Reiffel added a priceless 51 in the last hour to leave honors even on the day.

Steve Waugh brought up his 12th test century just before stumps in 208 minutes off 152 balls with 12 fours. Built upon an impeccable technique, this was the durable right-hander's first score of consequence on tour. At the close, Waugh (102) and Reiffel (26) had added an unbeaten 64 for the eighth wicket.

New boy Dean Headley was the pick of the English bowlers with 3 for 67 from 23 overs.