3rd Ashes Test England v Australia Day 1: Captain Clarke spurs Australia with battling ton

Centurion Michael Clarke played a true captain's innings as Australia shrugged off another umpiring controversy to produce an Ashes fightback and rack up 303 for three on the first day of the third Test on Thursday.

The unflappable Clarke was 125 not out from 208 balls at the close after notching the tourists' first ton of the series with a flicked single, while Steve Smith was unbeaten on 70 after a day of fluctuating fortunes which ended with Australia on top.

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England, who are 2-0 up in the five-match series and will retain the Ashes at the revamped Manchester venue with a win or a draw, were cheered on by a packed crowd and a lone trumpeter but some pizzazz was missing from their play and the atmosphere.

Opener Chris Rogers, 35, fell short of his first Australia century when he was trapped lbw by a fullish ball from spinner Graeme Swann for a Test high 84 in the middle session.

Replays showed Rogers was right to be given out, but Usman Khawaja's dismissal before lunch was the major talking point.

He was adjudged to have been caught behind off Swann for one but reviewed umpire Tony Hill's decision.

Third umpire Kumar Dharmasena sided with his colleague despite replays showing no obvious edge in the latest decision review system (DRS) dispute to afflict the series and Australia.

Shane Watson earlier got away with several loose shots through the slips, over gully and just short of point but was caught at slip by Alastair Cook off paceman Tim Bresnan for 19.

Clarke and Rogers, obeying the message from on high to knuckle down and build an innings after repeated Australian carelessness with the bat this series, were watchful but pounced on any loose bowling as the pacemen struggled with footholes.

WARNER BACK

Clarke was impressive in his 24th Test ton if not at his very fluent best having been troubled by spectators above the pavilion sightscreen when taking on Swann, who took two for 82.

Smith survived another minor DRS controversy when England reviewed a not-out lbw decision against Swann and Hawk-Eye said just less than half the ball would have hit leg stump, thus reverting to the umpire's call.

The hosts later wasted their second and last review on Smith when DRS showed he had not edged James Anderson behind. He was then plum in front to Stuart Broad on 24 but Hill said not out.

Australia had lost the toss at Trent Bridge and Lord's, when England batted first both times on their way to victory, and the relief on Clarke's face was visible as the coin landed his way.

The tourists, who risk losing a seventh Test in a row and a third straight Ashes series, brought in David Warner at six after the aggressive left-hander returned from his banishment to the A squad as punishment for punching England's Joe Root in a bar in June.

He replaced the ineffective Phil Hughes, while off-spinner Nathan Lyon came in for left-armer Ashton Agar and paceman Mitchell Starc replaced the injured James Pattinson.

England were unchanged with Kevin Pietersen fit to play.

EVENING SESSION

Australia dominated the opening day of third Test against England reach 303-3 in 90 overs at close at Old Trafford on Thursday.

Michael Clarke is unbeaten on 125 off 208 balls having hits 17 fours so far while Steven Smith is with him on 70 having faced 150 balls and hit seven boundaries.

Clarke and Smith have figured in an unfinished fourth wicket stand of 174 as England went wicketless in the final session despite taking the second new ball when it was due.

Chris Rogers missed out on a century earlier making a fluent 84 off 114 balls hitting 14 fours.

Swann has figures of 25-2-82-2 while Bresnan's figures so far read 20-5-51-1.

Clarke slides Broad to third man for another boundary. Aus 297-3 in 86 overs.

Smith drives Anderson through the covers for another boundary. Aus 291-3 in 85 overs.

Smith glances Anderson for a boundary to fine leg.

Clarke slashes the first delivery from Broad to third man for a boundary. Aus 280-3 in 82 overs.

Smith thumps the first ball from Anderson after the second new ball was taken past mid-on for a boundary. Aus 273-3 in 81 overs.

Clarke punches Trott down the ground for a delightful boundary. Aus 269-3 in 80 overs.

Smith completes his fifth Test half century with a couple against Swann. Aus 263-3 in 79 overs.

Clarke lofts Bresnan over mid-off for a boundary. Aus 259-3 in 78 overs.

Michael Clarke completed his 24th Test century and fifth against England with a single off Swann. Aus 255-3 in 77 overs.

It came off 169 balls and contained 13 fours.

Clarke drives Bresnan down the ground for a superb boundary to move to 95. Aus 243-3 in 72 overs.

Smith cracks consecutive boundaries off Swann. Aus 239-3 in 71 overs.

The 100 partnership between Clarke and Smith comes up in 201 balls.

Clarke slams another boundary off Anderson cracking him past point. Aus 220-3 in 65 overs.

Clarke slams Broad over the slip cordon with an upper cut.

Clarke square cuts Swann past point for another boundary. Aus 207-3 in 60 overs.

Clarke pulls a bouncer from Broad through midwicket for another boundary.

Clarke rocks on the back foot and cuts Swann through the covers. Aus 195-3.

AFTERNOON SESSION

Opener Chris Rogers fell short of his first Test century and Australia's first of the Ashes on Thursday after the tourists had earlier been the victim of another umpiring controversy on day one of the third Test.

The Australians, 2-0 down in the five-match series, went to tea on 180 for three with captain Michael Clarke on 55 not out after Rogers was trapped lbw by a fullish ball from England spinner Graeme Swann for 84.

Replays showed Rogers was right to be given out, but Usman Khawaja's dismissal before lunch was a major talking point.

He was adjudged to have been caught behind off Swann for one but reviewed umpire Tony Hill's decision.

Third umpire Kumar Dharmasena sided with his colleague despite replays showing no obvious edge in the latest decision review system (DRS) dispute to afflict the series and Australia.

Shane Watson earlier got away with several loose shots through the slips, over gully and just short of point but was caught at slip by Alastair Cook off paceman Tim Bresnan for 19.

Rogers, obeying the message from on high to knuckle down and build an innings after repeated Australian carelessness this series, calmly compiled his highest Test score to silence doubters of his worth to the side.

The 35-year-old, selected because of his knowledge of English conditions having been a mainstay of the county scene, is playing in only his fourth Test for Australia and will be annoyed he did not go on and make a century his team badly need.

Clarke was impressive if not at his fluent best having been troubled by spectators above the pavilion sightscreen when taking on Swann, who had figures of two for 37.

Steve Smith was with him at tea on 20 after another minor DRS controversy when England reviewed a not-out lbw decision against Swann and Hawk-Eye said just less than half the ball would have hit leg stump, thus reverting to the umpire's call.

The hosts wasted their second and final review on Smith later when DRS showed he had not edged James Anderson behind.

England, who will retain the Ashes at the revamped Manchester venue with a win or a draw, were cheered on by a packed crowd and a lone trumpeter but some pizzazz was missing.

Australia had lost the toss at Trent Bridge and Lord's, when England batted first both times on their way to victory, and the relief on Clarke's face was visible as the coin landed his way.

The tourists, who risk losing a seventh test in a row and a third straight Ashes series, brought in David Warner at six after the aggressive left-hander returned from his banishment to the A squad as punishment for punching England's Joe Root in a bar in June.

He replaced the ineffective Phil Hughes, while off-spinner Nathan Lyon came in for left-armer Ashton Agar and paceman Mitchell Starc replaced the injured James Pattinson.

England were unchanged after Kevin Pietersen passed a fitness test on a calf strain.

Australia took tea at 180-3 in 53 overs with Clarke unbeaten on 55 having added 51 runs for the fourth wicket with Smith who is batting on 20.

Swann has figures of 13-2-37-2.

Smith survives a confident caught behind appeal off Anderson with England being unsuccessful with the decision review.

Smith pulls Anderson for a boundary through midwicket.

Smith whips Bresnan through midwicket for his first boundary. Aus 163-3 in 46 overs.

Clarke cracks Bresnan to square leg for a boundary to complete his 27th Test half century and second of the series. Aus 157-3 in 44 overs.

Clarke skips out and slams Swann down the ground. Aus 151-3 in 43 overs.

Clarke cracks consecutive boundaries off Swann through the covers and mid-off. Aus 144-3 in 41 overs.

Smith survives a confident leg before appeal with England being unsuccesssful with the decision review.

Swann strikes trapping Rogers leg before to end a superb knock by the Australian opener. Aus 129-3.

Chris Rogers lbw b Swann 84 (114b 14x4 0x6)

Clarke has edged Swann through the vacant slip for a boundary.

Rogers despatches a full toss from Broad through the covers for yet another boundary. Aus 119-2 in 32 overs.

Clarke edges Anderson past slip for another boundary. Aus 110-2 in 31 overs.

Clarkes picks up his first boundary with a superb cover drive off Anderson to bring up the 100 of the Australia innings.

Rogers hits the first boundary after lunch sweeping Broad past square leg. Aus 98-2 in 28 overs.

MORNING SESSION

The Australians went to lunch at 92 for two after Usman Khawaja fell for one when he was adjudged to have been caught behind off Graeme Swann.

The batsman reviewed the decision but the third umpire sided with his on-field colleague despite replays showing no obvious edge in the latest decision review system dispute to afflict the series and Australia.

Shane Watson earlier got away with several loose shots through the slips, over gully and just short of point but was finally caught at slip by Alastair Cook off paceman Tim Bresnan for 19.

Rogers, obeying the message from on high to knuckle down and build an innings after repeated Australian carelessness this series, calmly compiled his highest test score to silence doubters of his worth to the side.

The 35-year-old, selected because of his knowledge of English conditions having been a mainstay of the county scene, is playing in his fourth Test only for Australia. Captain Michael Clarke was five not out.

England, who lead the five-match series 2-0 and can retain the Ashes at the revamped Manchester venue with a win or a draw, extracted decent swing under slightly overcast skies and to the accompaniment of a lone trumpeter in the packed crowd.

Stuart Broad had one lbw shout against Watson, out so often that way, but England decided not to review the umpire's not out call and later made the breakthroughs just as Australia looked to be taking the initiative.

Australia had lost the toss at Trent Bridge and Lord's, when England batted first both times on their way to victory, and the relief on Clarke's face was visible as the coin landed his way.

The tourists, who risk losing a seventh test in a row and a third straight Ashes series, brought in David Warner at number six after the aggressive left-hander returned from his banishment to the A squad for punching England's Joe Root in a bar in June.

He replaced the ineffective Phil Hughes while off-spinner Nathan Lyon came in for left-armer Ashton Agar and paceman Mitchell Starc replaced the injured James Pattinson.

England were unchanged after Kevin Pietersen passed a fitness test on a calf strain.

Australia reached 92 for two in 26 overs at lunch on opening day of the third Test against England at Old Trafford on Thursday.

Chris Rogers is unbeaten on 67 off 78 balls having hit 12 fours.

Watson (16) was the first to go being dismissed by Bresnan while Khawaja was dismissed controversially being caught behind off Swann.

Rogers flicks Broad behind square for a boundary. Aus 86-2 in 24 overs.

Khawaja is given out caught out controversially off Swann with Australia being unsuccessful with the decision review. Aus 82-2.

Usman Khawaja c Prior b Swann 1 (19b 0x4 0x6)

Bresnan gets the first breakthrough for England as Watson edges to Cook at slip. Aus 76-1.

Shane Watson c Cook b Bresnan 19 (49b 2x4 0x6)

Rogers slams another boundary off Bresnan.

Rogers slams three boundaries off Anderson to complete his second Test half century off 49 balls. Aus 70-0 in 16 overs.

Rogers cracks consecutive boundaries off Bresnan through square leg and down the ground. Aus 58-0 in 15 overs.

Rogers cracks Broad to third man for a boundary. Aus 44-0 in 12 overs.

Rogers punches Anderson down the ground for another boundary.

Watson pulls Broad for a boundary to long leg. Aus 33-0 in 8 overs.

Rogers gets another boundary off Anderson running it down past point. Aus 29-0 in 7 overs.

Rogers flicks Broad through midwicket for a boundary. Aus 24-0 in 8 overs.

Broad bowls a maiden over to Broad.

Watson gets his first boundary off Broad smashing him over backward point.

Rogers hits the first boundary of the match gliding Anderson through gully. Aus 5-0 in 5 overs.

Australia have won the toss and will bat in the third Test against Australia at Old Trafford on Thursday.

David Warner makes a return along with Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Starc as Australia seek to stay in the hunt.

England are unchanged with Pietersen being fit.

PLAYING XI

England - Alastair Cook (capt), Joe Root, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Jonny Bairstow, Matt Prior, Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, James Anderson

Australia - Shane Watson, Chris Rogers, Usman Khawaja, Michael Clarke (capt), Steven Smith, David Warner, Brad Haddin, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, Ryan Harris, Nathan Lyon

PREVIEW

England batsman Kevin Pietersen looks poised to play in the third Ashes Test against Australia at Old Trafford from Thursday after recovering from a calf injury.

Pietersen has been struggling since the second Test at Lord's but batted in the indoor nets for almost an hour on Wednesday and then had a short fitness test on the soggy outfield, with strapping filled with a liquid visible on his leg.

"Pretty good," captain Alistair Cook told a news conference when asked about the chances of Pietersen playing.

"He has gone through training the last two days and done everything we asked of him. Fingers crossed."

England will wait to see how their most explosive batsman reacts to the fitness test before naming their team at the toss on Thursday, with good weather forecast despite Wednesday's rain in famously wet Manchester.

James Taylor, who has two caps and scored an unbeaten century against Australia playing as a ringer for Sussex in last week's tour match, has been included in the squad in case Pietersen is ruled out.

England lead the five-match series 2-0 and will retain the Ashes with a win or a draw.

Pietersen barely contributed in the first two Tests yet England still edged the tourists by 14 runs at Trent Bridge before humiliating Michael Clarke's men by 347 runs at Lord's to inflict a sixth straight Test loss on Australia.

Nevertheless, Cook is staying wary and not even contemplating a 5-0 whitewash.

"It's very dangerous to start thinking like that. We are a very good side when we take each game as it comes," said the opener, who has tall pace bowler Chris Tremlett back in the squad after a long injury layoff.

"It's great for us as a squad that he is back. He has worked incredibly hard. It's great for competition for places; it gives you another dimension."

WARNER HOPES

Tremlett is bidding to unseat third paceman Tim Bresnan but most pundits expect the latter to stay in an unchanged side from Lord's even though the Old Trafford wicket offers more bounce.

Australia's lineup is much more uncertain with aggressive batsman David Warner hoping to play after scoring a century for Australia A against South Africa A following his banishment for punching England's Joe Root in a bar in June.

Number six Steve Smith missed training on Tuesday with a sore back and could make way although Phil Hughes has been the focus of debate in Australian media aghast at the prospect of losing a third straight Ashes series after previous dominance.

Captain Clarke, no longer a selector in the upheaval following Mickey Arthur's sacking as coach and Darren Lehmann's appointment just before the series, had no clue about the XI.

"The team has not been given to me at this stage. The selectors want to look at the wicket today to see if it's changed," Clarke said before being asked about Warner.

"I don't think it's about one individual player. It is going to take the whole squad...for us to win this series. Our backs are against the wall there's no doubt about it. We are going to have to be at our best.

"I honestly believe we can win this series. I know there's a lot of people who will laugh at me saying that but I wouldn't be here today if I thought this team wasn't good enough to have success. If I didn't think I could get the best out of the players I certainly wouldn't be captain of this team."

Spinner Nathan Lyon is widely expected to replace 19-year-old Ashton Agar, who has struggled with the ball in his first two tests despite scoring 98 as number 11 at Trent Bridge.

 

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