Sports Calendar

Michael Clarke and Marcus North take Australia into a first-innings lead as their fifth-wicket stand moves into three figures, leaving Andrew Strauss to draw on his second-string attack after the spinners fail to make inroads. Any hope England had of building on their good work with the second new ball is dented by, in particular, the strokeplay of Clarke. His footwork against Graeme Swann and Panesar is exemplary. Clarke completes his fifty before Strauss calls upon Paul Collingwood, whose cutters twice turn out of rough to beat North and Prior, resulting in eight byes.

England *
Australia * * * *

Third session

Australia 458-4 to 479-5

Floodlights are used for the first time in a Test match in England, and Andrew Strauss is grateful, no doubt, for the opportunity to gain some extra play after a delay before play is finally called off because of bad light — despite the innovation — shortly after 6.45pm. The expected bad weather arrived early with Australia able to add only five runs before heavy showers. Clarke resumed ominously, only to mistime an attempt to hook Stuart Broad, gloving a third catch of the innings to Matthew Prior. Clarke appeared on course to become the third century-maker of the innings.

England * *
Australia * *

Talking point

Do England have bouncebackability?

As England continued to toil in the field yesterday, it was obvious that the pitch was not giving much help to the fast bowlers. In fact, the bounce is getting lower, as the Hawk-Eye graphic below of two balls from James Anderson indicates. Anderson proved his ability as a fine swing bowler early on yesterday, deceiving Simon Katich with a full ball to have him leg-before. It was a rare moment of triumph on another day of struggle and it may be more of the same today, weather permitting.

Milestones

Ricky Ponting reached 150 for the fourth time against England. He has 11,110 Test runs and needs 65 to climb above Allan Border into third place behind Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara in the all-time list.

When Monty Panesar bowled Ponting, he moved above Phil Edmonds in England’s list of all-time wicket-takers, becoming the sixth most successful left-arm spin bowler to play for the country.

Fancy a flutter?
England win 33-1
Australia win 7-2
Draw 1-6

Collingwood to top-score in England’s second innings 7-1 Odds: William Hill

Pitch report

Areas of rough will continue to get bigger and merge into two areas of dark brown, one at each end. However, any turn will continue to be slow.

Television, radio and weather
Live Sky Sports 1 10am-7pm
Highlights Sky Sports 1 8pm-10pm; 11pm-1am. Five 7.15pm-8pm
Radio BBC Radio 4 LW; Radio 5 Live Sports Extra
Forecast Overcast, wet, heavy rain at times. Max temperature 19C (66F)