Australia strong on first day of fifth Test at Trent Bridge

By Vic Mills

NOTTINGHAM, England (JP): Australia all but batted England out of the Ashes series Thursday on the first day of the fifth Test at Trent Bridge.

Needing just a draw to retain the fabled urn, Australia was 302 for three at stumps with half-centuries from Mark Taylor, Matthew Elliot, Greg Blewett and Mark Waugh.

Mark Taylor had no hesitation in deciding to bat on winning the toss for the fifth time in the series. A vital loss, too, as the cloudless skies, straw colored pitch and fast outfield promised the best battling conditions of the summer.

The tourists, as expected, named the same eleven that won so convincingly at Leeds. England, in contrast, made four changes with a first Test cap for the Hollioake brothers, Adam and Ben, a return for Andrew Caddick and Devon Malcolm included after Darren Gough was sidelined Wednesday after a knee injury. Despite indifferent form, Robert Croft edged out Philip Tufnell.

Openers Taylor and Elliot began in watchful fashion as they set about laying the foundation for a large total. A task made all the easier by a pitch as friendly and welcoming as an old friend.

An unforced error brought the first alarm of the morning as Elliot received the benefit of doubt from umpire Mitchley as he offered no shot to a delivery from Headley. Lacking the fluency of Headingley, the Victorian remained scoreless for the first half-hour.

Taylor, meanwhile, was beginning to settle and enjoy his work for the first time since Edgbaston. His improved technique was clearly evident as he played confidently off both front and back- foot.

A cautious first hour brought just 32 runs. The shackles were lifted, however, with the introduction of Ben Hollioake, 19, England's youngest Test debutante since Brian Close at Trent Bridge in 1948. Understandably nervous, 23 came off his first three overs on the senior stage.

With Australia 83 for none at lunch, Taylor and Elliot 34 and 49 respectively, memories returned of a corresponding game eight years ago when the tourists ended the first day 301 without loss.

History was not about to repeat itself, however, as Elliott (69) got the thinnest of inside-edges to a delivery from Headley, and Stewart took a tumbling catch behind to leave Australia 117 for one.

Without a significant score since his 125 in the second innings at Edgbaston, new batsman Greg Blewett was another of the Australian top order in need of runs. More solid than spectacular, he, too, set about building an innings.

Mid-session

Batting became a little more difficult mid-session when a split seam caused the umpires to change the ball. The replacement, much to the chagrin of the batsmen, swung far more than the odd ball.

Indeed, a full-length in-swinger from Caddick shortly after sent Taylor's (76) off stump cartwheeling to leave Australia 160 for two and in danger of losing the initiative. Mark Waugh and Blewett added a further 21 in the session without further mishap.

Australia batted England, if not out of the game, then certainly out of the series, in the final session, adding 121 for the loss of Blewett (50). With the score on 225, the compact South Australian fenced at a delivery from Ben Hollioake and was superbly caught one-handed by the diving Stewart.

With Adam joining Ben in the attack, the capacity crowd were treated to the rare sight of the Hollioake brothers bowling in tandem at the Waugh twins. All four, incidentally, born in Australia.

The novelty faded, however, the moment Mark Waugh began to time his shots. As shadows lengthened, he unfurled some majestic cover drives to remain unbeaten on 60 at stumps. With Steve Waugh not out 38, the twins added 77 for the fourth wicket to leave Australia 302 for three.

Another luckless day for England, yet the writing was on the wall the moment Taylor won the toss.