Michael Hussey
Brisbane: Mike Hussey’s 81* restored Australia’s narrow advantage after 2 days of the 1st Ashes Test against the English, with the hosts 219-5 at the end of the day’s play on Friday. In a day of constantly changing momentum, Hussey and Haddin put together 77 runs for the sixth-wicket after Australia was in deep trouble at 143-5 chasing England’s first innings of 260.
Australia began on 25-0 and extended the opening partnership to 78 before the English paceman James Anderson dismissed all rounder Shane Watson and Ponting before and after lunch. The Ashes debutant Steven Finn, followed that up by dismissing Simon Katich on 50 and Michael Clarke for just 9 runs before Marcus North fell to Graeme Swann just scoring a single run, leaving Australia up against it at 143-5, still 117 adrift of England’s first inning total.
Hussey and Haddin were determined to bat the Aussies out of trouble, but England’s bowling attack continued on a tight line and length, held the Australians on the back foot. Bad light followed by rain cut the day’s play about an hour short of actual time, with the match finely balanced going into the 3rd day when England will opt for the new ball. Play will begin about 30 minutes early on Saturday to make up for time lost today.
Michael Hussey came into the match under pressure for his place in the team, began with a stroke of luck when he nicked his first ball just short of Swann at 2nd slip which was delivered by Finn. The very next ball, he took advantage of that and pulled off a series of aggressive pull shots for fours & the Test match’s first six hitting Swann over long on.
Earlier, the only wicket to fall in the 1st session of play came when Shane Watson nicked an Anderson off-cutter to Andrew Strauss in the slips. The previous ball before his dismissal Shane Watson survived a leg before wicket appeal which was turned down which was referred upstairs but was inconclusive.
Katich also survived a video referral in the first session after he was initially given out lbw when on 29 runs but replays showed the ball would not even touch the bails. He could have been run out as well earlier in the innings had Alistair Cook made a direct throw from midwicket.
England came back into the fight immediately with the second ball after lunch time, when Ricky Ponting was caught behind off the nick off his gloves down the leg-side. Finn sent Katich back to the pavilion with a superb caught and bowled. Later on, he scalped Michael Clarke caught behind attempting to pull. Clarke made just 9 runs off 50 deliveries, repeatedly playing & missing in a disappointing innings.
Tags: Australia, Brisbane, Cricket, England, Gabba, Michael Hussey, Test Cricket, Test Series, The Ashes 2010
