ASHES UPDATE

DAY THREE-FIFTH TEST-RAIN AND AUSSIES SHINE

The third day went much in the same way as the second day with rain playing the spoilsport. In whatever play that was possible, the Aussies finally looked like finding some of their class. Langer scored a typically gritty century not before getting another blow on the elbow from a Harmison delivery. It is not a bad occasion to register his 22nd century and also in the process overtake Don Bradman as far as overall career test runs are concerned. Hayden finally made a score of some substance but he played very cautiously. Pressure has a strange effect even on the best.

Ponting was expected to make a big score but Flintoff removed the Aussie captain on an otherwise pedestrian day for the English bowlers. The English simply ran out of ideas and the rain actually helped their cause. There was also one instance where Damien Martyn nicked a delivery into the hands of the English keeper Gerraint Jones but there was no appeal of conviction. The umpire disallowed even as the replays told otherwise. Nasser Hussain in the commentary box recalled the Melbourne test where the then keeper James Foster did not appeal for a knick from the bat of Steve Waugh.

The Aussies have to score their runs quickly and take a lead of 150 runs and then put pressure on the English. The English would be happy to let the weather gods bless them with more rain.