Published>Fri, Dec 03 10 11:27 AM
England ripped through Australia's top order in a stunning start to the second Ashes test on Friday, taking three wickets in the first 10 minutes before the hosts were able to find their feet in the contest.
Australian opener Simon Katich and captain Ricky Ponting went for ducks in the first over and vice captain Michael Clarke was dismissed for two in the third.
The other opener, Shane Watson, made 51 before joining them in the dressing room soon after lunch and the fifth wicket fell when Marcus North departed just before tea.
Mike Hussey (71) and Brad Haddin (2), who enjoyed a partnership of 307 at the Gabba in the drawn first test, had been reunited by North's dismissal with Australia on 159-5 at tea.
Having lost the toss at a ground which is traditionally batting-friendly and where huge first innings totals are the norm, England were expected to spend a long, hot day toiling in the field with little return.
Paceman James Anderson had other ideas, however, but although he did most of the damage for England, the first wicket came courtesy of Australian confusion and a fine throw by Jonathan Trott.
The match was just four deliveries old when Watson set off for a single off his pads but Katich, who had not faced a ball, failed to react and was left fuming as Trott fired a direct hit from midwicket.
The next ball took the key wicket of Ponting for a golden duck, the Australian skipper getting an outside edge to a James Anderson delivery and Graeme Swann swooping to catch it at second slip.
Vice captain Clarke, who again looked out of sorts, lasted just seven minutes before Anderson and Swann combined to dismiss him for two runs.
Anderson thought he had added Watson to his list of victims soon afterwards but his loud lbw appeal was ignored and the tv review showed the ball to be going over the stumps.
The impressive English quick also dropped a difficult return catch off Hussey, a let-off which the Australian mid-order batsman looked to determined to exploit.
Anderson finally got Watson two overs after lunch when he managed to find some swing which fooled the batsman into a shot which ended up in the hands of Kevin Pietersen at gully.
Steve Finn had a poor day with the ball in hand but finally got a return for his efforts in the baking sun when North was caught behind by Matt Prior for 26.
Australia had replaced two thirds of their strike bowling line-up after taking just one wicket in England's second innings in Brisbane.
Doug Bollinger came in for Mitchell Johnson, while fast bowler Ryan Harris replaced Ben Hilfenhaus. England were unchanged.
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