Elementary for Watson as England toil
ALL-ROUNDER Shane Watson ensured the Australian gamble paid off with a gallant half-century as the tourists made up for lost time at a rain-sodden Edgbaston.
Persistent rain and a wet outfield meant only 30 overs were available later in the day, but Watson, a surprise replacement for axed opener Phillip Hughes, justified his selection with a battling fifty as the Aussies put the England bowlers to the sword.
Making his Ashes debut and opening in a Test for the first time, Watson capitalised on wayward bowling to smash an unbeaten 62 – his second Test half-century – and help the tourists rally to 126-1 at the close.
Despite the presence of a pumped-up Andrew Flintoff, the Aussies seized control, only to lose Simon Katich to spinner Graeme Swann for a quickfire 46.
Australia were forced into a second, unexpected change just minutes before the scheduled start after wicketkeeper Brad Haddin suffered a suspected fractured finger in the warm-up. This subsequently handed a Test debut to Graham Manou at the age of 30. Captain Ricky Ponting would have been cheered, however, by winning the toss and opting to bat on a decent track, which his new opening pair clearly enjoyed.
Both attacked a series of loose deliveries to close in on the century stand until Katich was trapped trying to hook Swann in the spinner’s very first over. Ponting, himself, steadied the ship to bring up his 20,000 career runs until the umpires signalled the end of an otherwise eventful day.
Fortunately the weather is forecasted better for today, but England skipper Andrew Strauss will know his side must bowl an awful lot better if they are to avoid a sizeable run chase.
SCORECARD AUSTRALIA (1ST INNS)
S Watson not out 62
S Katich lbw b Swann 46
R Ponting not out 17
Extras (1lb) 1
TOTAL (1 wkt, 30 overs) 126
Fall: 85
Bowling: Anderson 10-0-45-0, Flintoff
9-2-31-0, Onions 3-0-21-0, Broad 6-1-24-0
Swann 2-0-4-1