Australian batters bury old enemy in Ashes opener at Cardiff
Australian batters bury old enemy in Ashes opener at Cardiff
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A stand of 200 between Ashes debutants Marcus North (125 not out) and wicketkeeper Brad Haddin (121), which followed Friday's efforts of 150 from captain Ricky Ponting and 122 from opener Simon Katich, saw Australia to a huge total of 674 for six declared before tea on the fourth day
Come the interval, England had collapsed to 20 for two still needing a further 219 runs to make Australia bat again after Alastair Cook was lbw to Mitchell Johnson and Ravi Bopara fell the same way to Ben Hilfenhaus, with both Essex batsmen playing across the line. England, with captain Andrew Strauss six not out and Kevin Pietersen unbeaten on three, were then only spared further humiliation by the rain which washed out Saturday's final session and now looks like their best hope of saving the game.
Ricky Ponting, Simon Katich, Marcus North,u00a0and Brad Haddin
"Ricky and Kat put us in a great position, they wore them down and we had an opportunity to keep them in the field," North, who has played for five English counties, told reporters.
"Any hundred you score is a good hundred but I would give it up for the weather staying away and us taking eight wickets tomorrow (Sunday)."
England all-rounder Paul Collingwood admitted: "That was a tough day. We've got to regroup, refresh and bat three sessions (to save the game)."
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