Australia wins third Test at Old Trafford

By Vic Mills

MANCHESTER, England (JP): Australia needed just 90 minutes of the final day to square the Ashes series 1-1 by completing a comprehensive 268-run third Test win over England at Old Trafford.

Resuming on 130 for five - still 337 adrift and needing to bat all day to prevent Australia drawing level at the halfway point of the six Test series - England was all out for 200 half an hour before lunch.

With an impressive display of reverse swing bowling, Glenn McGrath took 4-15 in 31 balls to wrap up England's trail and deny Shane Warne the opportunity of 10 wickets in the match, though Warne did make it nine by capturing Andrew Caddick.

Mark Ealham (9) was first out, having added just four to his overnight score, when he edged an outswinger behind where Ian Healy took a superb catch low to his right.

It was the start of England's quickfire demise with Robert Croft, who was described by coach David Lloyd the previous evening as having the ability to score a Test match century, following just four overs later when he steered a lifting McGrath delivery to Paul Reiffel at backward square leg.

John Crawley (83) survived an early scare when dropped at square leg by Greg Blewett of Warne, but failed to capitalize on his reprieve.

With his eyes on a first Ashes hundred, he pushed forward to McGrath, stepped back to give himself momentum for the run, and trod on his stumps.

His dismissal signaled the end of England's diminishing hopes of saving the match. Two overs later Darren Gough (6) had his off stump removed by McGrath and shortly after Caddick (17) holed out to Jason Gillespie at mid-on off Warne.

Although McGrath stole the show with figures of 4-46 in 21 overs, the damage done by Gillespie 3-31 and Warne 3-63 on the previous evening went much of the way to securing the win.

With his decision to bat on winning the toss fully vindicated, victorious captain Mark Taylor warned that the tourists were not yet operating at full throttle.

With the crucial fourth test beginning at Headingley in just over two weeks, he was of the opinion that the best was yet to come. "We are starting to run into some form, but there is still room for improvement."

With the series now level, England captain Mike Atherton rued the first day display by his team. "I felt we missed some chances," he said.

"I fancied our chances of getting a 100-run first innings' lead.

"We could have bowled Australia out a bit cheaper and we contributed to our downfall a bit which makes it tough.

"There are three matches to go, and I'm confident we can win at least one of those games and cause some problems for Australia," Atherton said.

Signs

Despite the heavy defeat, there were some encouraging signs for England. Mark Butcher looks more confident with each trip to the wicket and could end the series as Atherton's regular partner. John Crawley, too, produced a timely reminder of his class.

But the biggest plus came in the bowling of Dean Headley. With four wickets in each innings, he was the one England seamer to bowl the line and length the conditions required.

The technique and temperament of Steve Waugh in mastering those conditions was the main difference between the two sides.

Man-of-the-match Waugh looked back with pride at his record breaking performance.

"It's nice to be recognized with such distinguished players of the past," the 31-year-old all-rounder said.

"The first day was one of my better innings, and I got more confident.

"In the second innings the wicket played a bit better. My concentration was the key and it's as good as I've ever played before."