Second Ashes Test – Lord’s – Day 4 Roundup

England, for whom the day started so well, have been somewhat thwarted by an unbeaten sixth-wicket partnership of 185 runs between Brad Haddin and Michael Clarke pushing the Australia total to 313 for five against England in the day of the Lord’s test

England, with one eye on the weather decided to declare with their overnight total standing at 311 for six. Andrew Flintoff got them of to a terrific start powering in from the Pavilion end with pace and hostility and dismissed both Australian openers in his first 20 balls. Simon Katich (6) sliced the first delivery of his second over to Kevin Pietersen at gully and Phillip Hughes (17) was caught by Andrew Strauss at first slip. This proved to be a controversial dismissal as television replays revealed an element of doubt, however umpire Rudi Koertzen chose not to take this to the third umpire to the fury of the Australia captain Ricky Ponting.

Flintoff, the England all rounder in his final test at Lord’s, then proceeded to torment Ponting with his powerful bowling. He hit six fours on his way to reaching 38 but was bowled by Stuart Broad just after lunch.

Strauss, the England captain then brought his spin bowler Swann into action and he didn’t take long to reward his captain by dismissing left-handers Michael Hussey (27) and Marcus North (6). Hussey was caught at slip by Paul Collingwood and North was bowled off an inside edge. At this point England looked like wrapping the game up with more than a day to spare with Australia reeling to 128 for five with off-spinner Graeme Swann getting the ball to grip and turn.

That however proved to be the end of the England success for the day as Clarke and Haddin launched a superb counter-attack. Clark got to 50 from 58 balls from a combination of fluent driving and deft footwork. Haddin proved equally effective for the Aussies, hitting 10 boundaries from 126 balls. The Lord’s pitch had reverted to type as it tends to get better for batting as the days progress.

Strauss gathered his team in a huddle and talked to them urgently before taking the second new ball with the floodlights now on. The Australian team had made an improbable recovery and at the close of the fourth day, set 522 to win, Clarke finished on 125 and wicketkeeper Haddin on 80.

The Australian visitors still require an improbable 209 with five wickets in hand to win but the rain, which miraculously held off today is expected return on Monday and this enthralling test match could take yet another twist. It was the Australians that left the field of play as the happier of the two teams.