England’s extra player turned up on the third day of the test to take a hand in the proceedings, I mean of course the British weather. Australia however managed to bat through a rain interrupted proceedings to take a first innings lead over the hosts.

History was made when floodlights were used for a first time in a British test match and Australia scored 479 for five in reply to England’s first innings total of 435.

Ponting started the morning as had finished last night getting to 150 before being bowled by Monty Panesar managing to drag the delivery on to his stumps.

Michael Clarke took to the crease to score a thoroughly professional 83 and joined with Marcus North, who showed that he had learnt well from his time five English counties scoring 54 not out on his debut in an Ashes test.
They added 143 in the fifth wicket partnership leaving England with a huge fight on their hands to save the match as once again their bowlers struggled to make an impact on the Aussie batsmen

James Anderson had the first English success of the day, when haven taken the second new ball within the first hour of the day, Australia resuming on 249 for one. He conjured up late in swinging ball to remove Simon Katich (122), who had spent more than five hours batting. Michael Hussey was soon to follow scoring only three before edging Anderson to Matt Prior the England wicket keeper

Ponting, who had already reached his 38th test century on Thursday evening, continued to demonstrate his competence with the bat driving solidly through the covers and even hooking Andrew Flintof’s no-ball for six over Monty
Panesar at fine-leg. It looked very much like he would go on to make a double century but this was not to be as attempting to hit Panesar through the off-side, the ball nicked off his bat and smashed into the stumps.

This meant that with three wickets taken in 63 balls for 22 runs and Australia 331 for four, England were slowly but surely forcing their way back into the game. But this proved to be a force dawn as Clarke and North, smoothly batted through the afternoon session.

North started his innings with a quick on-drive for four and his partner Clarke delighted the Cardiff crowd with a series of excellent drives and produced the shot of the day when he almost pirouetted to loft Panesar over long-off for six.

Once again the England spinners Monty Panesar and Graham Swann although accurate were unable to make the breakthrough England needed.

Clarke brought up the 100 partnership by puling Flintoff through mid-wicket for four and the teams took tea with Australia on 463 for four.

Then England’s extra player turned up, the sky blackened and steady rain drove the players off shortly into the evening session. Play did resume with the flood lights turned on. Stuart Broad, having struggled manfully all day, took his first wicket of the innings when Clarke’s attempted hook was edged to give wicketkeeper Matt Prior to complete his third catch of the day.

Shortly after, the umpires consulted once again and the players left the field for the day. The English weather having played its hand for the first time in the 2009 Ashes test, it is certain to have even more of an impact for the next couple of days at this point it is likely to be to the advantage of the hosts.