Birmingham, August 04: Australia ended their campaign at 375/5 as the third Ashes Test ended in a draw. Michael Clarke’s centurion effort (103*) ensured that Australia did not lose this one, keeping hopes for epic series alive, trailing by 1-0 to hosts England.
Marcus North fell to the guile of Chris Broad after scoring a gritty 96 runs, a heartbreak for the batsman who was desperately searching for that elusive Test hundred in the Ashes.
Australia had managed to avert any catastrophic fall in the post-lunch session and posted a total of 293/4 at teatime. The wicket-less session saw the grit of Clarke and North as the batsmen ensured that the visitors did not collapse completely.
Australia had suffered twin losses just before lunch of the final day of the third Ashes Test at Edgbaston. Shane Watson was the man who fell after scoring a good half-century (53) as James Anderson claimed him. It was followed by Michael Hussey’s scalp, who also departed after a fifty.
The English cherry wielders did seem to lack the sting for a historic win, with the pitch offering them virtually nothing to work their skills with.
Watson, in his debut Test as an opener, was hit on the left elbow after turning his head away from Flintoff bouncer.
But he kept going and drove a Swann full-toss for his ninth four as he completed a fifty off 113 balls.
Flintoff, after a stint of seven overs for 17 runs, was replaced by fellow Lancashire quick Anderson, who took five wickets in Australia`s first innings.
And with sixth ball Friday, Anderson had Watson edging to wicket-keeper Matthew Prior to end a three-hour innings and a stand of 85 with Hussey.
Australia were 137 for three in a match where Saturday`s play was washed out as were Thursday`s first two sessions.
New batsman Clarke could have been out first ball when, trying to withdraw the bat against Anderson, he got an inadvertent boundary when the ball might just as easily have
deflected into his stumps.
But it was Broad, whose bowling has been much criticized this series, who ended a Hussey innings where 52 of his runs came in boundaries.
England were struggling at 168 for five in reply to Australia`s first innings 263 before Flintoff revived their innings with 74 off just 79 balls.
–Agencies