Australia 95-1, trail England by 320 at tea

Shane Watson hit an aggressive half century as Australia reached 95—1 at tea in an ambitious chase of England’s massive lead on the third day of the fourth Ashes Test on Tuesday.

Watson was unbeaten on 50 with Ricky Ponting on 19 as Australia went to the break trailing by 320 after England was out for 513 in its first innings.

The Australian openers made a bright start to the second innings and scored confidently in a 53—run partnership until Phillip Hughes was run out in the 12th over after Watson hesitated between the wickets while looking for a single.

Ponting, who made just 10 in Australia’s disastrous first innings, survived numerous appeals in a watchful start on Tuesday.

Earlier, seam bowler Peter Siddle claimed James Anderson as his sixth wicket with the final ball before lunch as England ended its first innings with a 415—run lead.

Siddle (6—75) continued to carry the Australian attack, taking two dismissals early in the day to complete a five—wicket haul. He claimed two wickets and took two catches off the bowling of Mitchell Johnson (2—134) on Monday.

Jonathan Trott still dominated the Australian bowlers, ending the innings on an unbeaten 168 after resuming the day on 141. He appeared untroubled by a knock to his knee from an inside edge on Monday, and played his shots with ease. His innings came off 345 balls with 13 fours.

Siddle made his first breakthrough in the sixth over of the day when he had Matt Prior caught for 85 by Ricky Ponting at mid—on. Prior added 10 runs to his overnight score and his dismissal ended a 173—run partnership with Trott for the sixth wicket.

Siddle took his fifth—wicket four overs later when he had new bowler Tim Bresnan caught behind for 4. Anderson scored just one run before his wicket prompted an early lunch break.

Ben Hilfenhaus (2—83) took just his third wicket of the series when Graeme Swann was caught behind on 22 by a leaping Brad Haddin. He claimed his fourth shortly before lunch when he bowled Chris Tremlett middle stump for 4.

Australia’s bowling stocks took a major blow earlier when paceman Ryan Harris broke down with a stress fracture to his left ankle while running in to Bresnan. Harris sank to the ground before limping from the field with Australia medical staff. He was replaced in the field by 12th man Michael Beer and is unlikely to bat this innings.


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