England vs Australia - Ashes 2009 - Third Test Match ends in a draw

Edgbaston Cricket Ground, Birmingham, UK
July 30, 2009

Second Innings
Australia 375/5 (112.2 overs) Michael Clarke 103*(192) Marcus North 96(159)

First Innings
England: 376 (93.3 overs) AJ Strauss 69(178), IR Bell 53(147), A Flintoff 74(116), SCJ Broad 55(92)
Australia: 263 (70.4 overs) Shane Watson 62(106), Simon Katich 46(48), James Anderson 5/80, Graham Onions 4/58

The Third test match of Ashes 2009 ends in a draw and England leads the series 1-0

Player of the match: Michael Clarke

Ashes 2009 Third Test - Day 5 LIVE Updates

Ironically, the final day of the Third Test was the only day on which play began on schedule. Victory was a definite possibility for both sides, but England's 25-run lead gave them a slight advantage despite the time constraints. Australia drew level with England in the 10th over of the day, with both batsmen heading towards half-centuries. Watson was the first to reach 50, but was out off his next ball, edging the last ball of Anderson's first over of the day to Prior. Hussey was next to reach 50; however, he only put on 14 more before himself edging to Prior off Broad, in only Broad's second over of the innings. Australia's fifth-wicket partnership proved largely impenetrable for the remainder of the day, as Clarke and North pushed towards centuries and Australia towards a 200-run lead in the evening session. North looked the most likely to reach his century first, but - when still on 96 - he mis-timed a drive that Anderson caught spectacularly at gully. Clarke then took another eight overs to reach his century with a four off Bopara, at which the two captains agreed to end the match as a draw.

Over 93: Swann to continue. 2 runs from the over. Australia lead by 180 runs and its Tea on the final day. Good defense from Australia. 121 runs scored from 36 overs.
Australia 293/4 (93 overs) Michael Clarke 73*(130) Marcus North 64*(131)

Over 92: Stuart Broad replaces James Anderson. Maiden over from Broad.
Australia 291/4 (92 overs) Michael Clarke 73*(130) Marcus North 62*(125)

Over 91: Another expensive over from Graeme Swann. 9 runs from the over. Seems like the batsmen doesn't have any thing to worry about Graeme Swann.
Australia 291/4 (91 overs) Michael Clarke 73*(124) Marcus North 62*(125)

Over 90: Anderson to continue and he bowls a maiden over. Australia lead by 169 runs.
Australia 282/4 (90 overs) Michael Clarke 68*(122) Marcus North 58*(121)

Over 89: Strauss brings Graeme Swann into the attack now. 10 runs from the over.
Australia 282/4 (89 overs) Michael Clarke 68*(122) Marcus North 58*(115)

Over 88: James Anderson to continue. Maiden over from Anderson. Australia lead by 159 runs.
Australia 272/4 (88 overs) Michael Clarke 58*(116) Marcus North 58*(115)

Over 87: Graham Onions to continue. Australia looking safe here. 6 runs from the over.
Australia 272/4 (87 overs) Michael Clarke 58*(116) Marcus North 58*(109)

Over 86: Just 1 run from James Anderson's over.
Australia 266/4 (86 overs) Michael Clarke 53*(111) Marcus North 57*(108)

Over 85: 3 runs from Graham Onion's over. Australia lead by 152 runs.
Australia 265/4 (85 overs) Michael Clarke 52*(108) Marcus North 57*(105)

Starting the day at 88/2, Australia managed to score runs quickly losing only two wickets in the first session on Day 5. Shane Watson was the first one to depart when he was caught behind by keeper Matt Prior for 53 runs. Out of form, Michael Hussey scored 64 runs before being caught behind off Stuart Broad. Michael Clarke and Michael North are unbeaten at lunch with Australia scoring 172/4.

Ashes 2009 Third Test - Day 4 Updates

Stumps on Day 4 Australia trail by 25 runs with 8 wickets in hand in the second innings of the third test match. England picked up two quick wickets and now has a chance of victory in the third test match. Shane Watson, the new opener for Australia remained unbeated on 34 and is well supported by Michael Hussey at the other end.

18:38 BST: Australian skipper Ricky Ponting was bowled for 5(7) by Graeme Swann. Ponting survived a LBW appeal in the same over earlier. Michael Hussey is the new man in. Australia trail by 61 runs with 8 wickets in hand.

18:29 BST: Graham Onions struck to remove Simon Katich in the second innings for 26(47). Katich was caught behind by keeper Matt Prior. Australia trail by 66 runs with 9 wickets in hand.

18:25 BST: Australia made a decent start in their second innings. After bowling out England for 376 in their first innings, the new Australian opening pair of Shane Watson and Simon Katich played sensibly and are 46/0 after 12 overs.

Andrew Flintoff helped England get a lead in their first innings of the third test match against Australia. Flintoff made a quick 74 in just 79 balls, while Stuart Broad scored 55(64) to extend the lead. At the end of the first innings, England has a healthy 113 run lead against Australia who are already 1-0 down in the series

13:02 BST: A bowling change from Ricky Ponting just before lunch paid rewards for Australia as Ben Hilfenhaus got the wicket of Paul Collingwood. Collingwood was caught at second slip by Ricky Ponting on 13(22). England trail by 104 runs with 6 wickets in hand in the first innings.

With the match abandoned on Day 3, It's good news on Day 4 as the match started on time at 10:30 BST. Ben Hilfenhaus struck early to remove Andrew Strauss on 69. England trail by 120 runs with 7 wickets in hand.

Ashes 2009 Third Test - Day 3 Updates

The match on Day 3 is abandoned due to wet conditions. The play will resume on Day 4 at 10:30 BST. England trail by 147 runs with 8 wickets in hand. The umpires had a look at the pitch. It's a bit dark and it's drizzling.

Ashes 2009 Third Test - Day 2 Updates

England started the day in fine form as Graham Onions removed Shane Watson and Michael Hussey with the first two balls of the day, before taking the wicket of Ricky Ponting soon after as the Australian captain tried to hook a quick bouncer. The Australians only added another 30 runs before James Anderson took the next wicket, sparking a sequence of four Anderson wickets in four overs for just 10 runs. Anderson and Onions shared the last two wickets between them as Nathan Hauritz and Ben Hilfenhaus put on 34 for the tenth wicket. England opened their innings with the momentum in their favour, but they had to face the same batting conditions as the Australians had, and Alastair Cook was removed for a duck in the second over. Ravi Bopara was the next to fall as he continued his poor run of form and put on just 23 runs. However, Andrew Strauss and Ian Bell batted until the end of the day to take England into the third day at 116/2.

A good solid start for England despite losing the wicket of Alastair Cook quite early in the innings. England are 56/1 at Tea on Day 2. They trail by 207 runs with 9 wickets in hand.

Over 12: And Nathan Haurtiz leaves the field. Phillip Hughes is for Hauritz. Siddle to continue. Just one run from the over.
England 40/1 (12.0 overs) Andrew Strauss 23*(35), Ravi Bopara 17*(33)

Over 11: Ricky Ponting brings Nathan Hauritz in the attack. Still no Mitchell Johnson with the ball. Slip and a short leg for the offspinner. 4 men on the off side.
England 39/1 (11.0 overs) Andrew Strauss 22*(34), Ravi Bopara 17*(28)

Over 10: 5 runs from the over. Partnership is now worth 32 runs.
England 38/1 (10.0 overs) Andrew Strauss 21*(29), Ravi Bopara 17*(27)

Over 9: Ben Hilfenhaus to continue. 8 runs from the over. England trail by 230 runs.
England 33/1 (9.0 overs) Andrew Strauss 20*(24), Ravi Bopara 13*(26)

Over 8: 4 runs from Siddle's over.
England 24/1 (8.0 overs) Andrew Strauss 11*(18), Ravi Bopara 13*(26)

Over 7: 4 runs from the over.
England 20/1 (7.0 overs) Andrew Strauss 11*(18), Ravi Bopara 9*(20)

Over 6: Just 1 run from the over. England trail by 247 runs with 9 wickets in hand.
England 16/1 (6.0 overs) Andrew Strauss 7*(12), Ravi Bopara 9*(20)

Over 5: 3 runs from the over.
England 15/1 (5.0 overs) Andrew Strauss 6*(11), Ravi Bopara 9*(15)

Over 4: 3 runs from Siddle's over.
England 12/1 (4.0 overs) Andrew Strauss 3*(10), Ravi Bopara 9*(10)

Over 3: Hilfenhaus to continue. First boundary for England as Bopara dispatches the first ball to the legside boundary. 6 runs from the over.
England 9/1 (3.0 overs) Andrew Strauss 2*(7), Ravi Bopara 7*(7)

Over 2: Peter Siddle to bowl from the other end. And Siddle gets the first break for Australia. Alastair Cook is caught behind by debutant Graham Manou. Ravi Bopara is the new man in.
England 3/1 (2.0 overs) Andrew Strauss 2*(7), Ravi Bopara 1*(1), Alastair Cook 0(4)

Over 1: Ben Hilfenhaus opens the bowling for Australia with 3 slips and a gully for Andrew Strauss.
England 1/0 (1.0 overs) Andrew Strauss 1*(4) Alastair Cook 0*(2)

Australia was able to add 60 runs valuable runs post lunch. Australia went to lunch at 203/8 and were all out for 263 runs. Ben Hilfenhaus scored 20(31), Peter Siddle 13(26) and Nathan Hauritz remained unbeaten on 20(31). James Anderson picked up 5 wickets for 80 runs and Graham Onions took 4 wickets for 58 runs.

Over 54: Brilliant Bowling from Anderson. Graham Manou is bowled. And that brings an end to a remarkable morning session for England. And it's lunch on Day 2. 7 wickets in the session.
Australia: 203/8 (54.5 overs) - Lunch Day 2 Graham Manou 8(11), Nathan Hauritz 0*(6)

Over 53: 6 wickets in 22 overs this session. 1 run from the over.
Australia: 203/7 (53.0 overs) Graham Manou 8*(6), Nathan Hauritz 0*(6)

Over 52: James Anderson strikes again. Marcus North is caught behind by Matt Prior diving infront of the slips. Mitchell Johnson is the new man in. And Anderson strikes again immediately. An inswinger into Johnson and he is out LBW. James Anderson is on a hat-trick here. Nathan Hauritz will face the hat-trick ball. And he survives. Double wicket maiden from Anderson.
Australia: 202/7 (52.0 overs) Marcus North 12(49), Mitchell Johnson 0(1), Graham Manou 8*(5), Nathan Hauritz 0*(1)

Over 51: Broad to continue. 5 runs from the over.
Australia: 202/5 (51.0 overs) Marcus North 12*(45), Graham Manou 8*(5)

Over 50: And James Anderson strikes for the first time in this test match. He gets the wicket of Michael Clarke. Australia lose their fifth wicket. Graham Manou is the new man in. And he gets off the mark with a boundary.
Australia: 197/5 (50.0 overs) Michael Clarke 29(55), Marcus North 11*(42), Graham Manou 4*(2)

Over 49: Stuart Broad into the attack. 8 runs from the over.
Australia: 192/4 (49.0 overs) Michael Clarke 29*(53), Marcus North 10*(40)

Over 48: Maiden over from James Anderson.
Australia: 184/4 (48.0 overs) Michael Clarke 23*(49), Marcus North 9*(38)

Over 47: Graham Onions to continue. This is a very long spell for him. Flintoff drops a catch in the second slip. Very good bowling from Onions. 4 runs from the over.
Australia: 184/4 (47.0 overs) Michael Clarke 23*(49), Marcus North 9*(32)

Over 46: James Anderson to continue. 6 runs from the over.
Australia: 180/4 (46.0 overs) Michael Clarke 20*(44), Marcus North 9*(31)

Over 45: 3 runs from Onion's over.
Australia: 174/4 (45.0 overs) Michael Clarke 19*(43), Marcus North 4*(26)

Over 44: Anderson to continue. Third successive maiden from him.
Australia: 171/4 (44.0 overs) Michael Clarke 19*(43), Marcus North 1*(20)

Over 43: Graham Onions to continue. 2 runs from the over.
Australia: 170/4 (43.0 overs) Michael Clarke 19*(42), Marcus North 1*(15)

Over 42: Another maiden from James Anderson. Marcus North still on 0.
Australia: 168/4 (42.0 overs) Michael Clarke 18*(38), Marcus North 0*(13)

Over 41: 4 runs from Graham Onions' over.
Australia: 168/4 (41.0 overs) Michael Clarke 18*(38), Marcus North 0*(7)

Over 40: James Anderson is into the attack now replacing Andrew Flintoff. Maiden over.
Australia: 164/4 (40.0 overs) Michael Clarke 14*(32), Marcus North 0*(7)

Over 39: Graham Onions to continue and he gets rid of Ricky Ponting this time. Ricky Ponting is caught behind attempting to hook a ball. Marcus North is the new man in. A maiden wicket over for England.
Australia: 164/4 (39.0 overs) Michael Clarke 14*(32), Marcus North 0*(1), Ricky Ponting 38(47)

Over 38: 8 runs from Flintoff's over.
Australia: 163/3 (38 overs) Ricky Ponting 38*(44), Michael Clarke 14*(30)

Over 37: Maiden over from Graham Onions.
Australia: 155/3 (37 overs) Ricky Ponting 33*(42), Michael Clarke 12*(25)

Over 36: 2 runs from the over.
Australia: 155/3 (36 overs) Ricky Ponting 33*(42), Michael Clarke 12*(19)

Over 35: Onions to continue. 5 runs from the over.
Australia: 153/3 (35 overs) Ricky Ponting 31*(36), Michael Clarke 12*(19)

Over 34: Ricky Ponting becomes the leading run scorer in test cricket for Australia overtaking Allan Border. 9 runs from the over.
Australia: 148/3 (34 overs) Ricky Ponting 26*(32), Michael Clarke 12*(17)

Over 33: Onions to continue after a terrific first over. 7 runs from the over.
Australia: 139/3 (33 overs) Ricky Ponting 23*(31), Michael Clarke 6*(12)

Over 32: Andrew Flintoff to bowl from the other end. Four from the last bowl of the over.
Australia: 132/3 (32 overs) Ricky Ponting 17*(27), Michael Clarke 5*(10)

Over 31: Graham Onions to bowl the first over on Day 2. And, What a start for England. Graham Onions strikes the first ball on Day 2. He gets the wicket of Shane Watson LBW. Mike Hussey is the new man in. Bowled... Onions picks two wickets in two balls and is on a hat-trick. Michael Clarke is the new man in. Clarke Surives. Just 1 run from the over and 2 wickets. Good start for England.
Australia: 127/3 (31 overs) Ricky Ponting 17*(27), Michael Clarke 1*(4), Shane Watson 62(106), Mike Hussey 0(1)

Ashes 2009 Third Test - Day 1 Updates

Australia have passed the 2 hour tricky session on Day 1 as they reached 126/1 at stumps losing the wicket of Simon Katich. Shane Watson who replaced Phillip Hughes scored an unbeaten 62 runs and Skipper Ricky Ponting provided him good support at the other end at stumps. Simon Katich was out LBW to spinner Graeme Swann for 46 runs.

Earlier, the match was delayed by rain for about 6 hours and Ricky Ponting who won the toss chose to bat first despite bowler friendly weather condition. Australia suffered a setback when Brad Haddin, the wicketkeeper broke his finger during the prematch warm-up and Australia requested a special permission from Andrew Strauss and Andy Flower to replace him with Graham Manou, which was approved by the match referee.