Ashes 2013-14: Australia are at 145/2 at lunch on Day 3 of 1st Test, lead England by 304 runs

David Warner was unbeaten on 83 at lunch on Day Three of the first Ashes 2013-14 Test © Getty Images

By Shrikant Shankar

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Nov 23, 2013

Australia have a commanding 304-run lead over England as they head to lunch on Day Three of the first Ashes 2013-14 Test in Brisbane at The Gabba. They are at 145 for two. David Warner is batting on 83 and Michael Clarke is on 34. Chris Rogers (16) and Shane Watson (6) were the batsmen to get out in the first session.

The day began with Australia at 65 for no loss. James Anderson bowled a testing over to Chris Rogers and Warner. Stuart Broad then struck with the first ball he bowled on the day. He bowled a short and wide delivery and Rogers completely miscued a cut shot and Michael Carberry took a simple catch at point.

Shane Watson was the next batsman and he survived an LBW appeal from Anderson. The ball seemed to have hit the bat first before going onto his pads. The umpire said not out, but the replays showed that the ball had struck the tip of the front boot and then it went onto the bat and then the pads. A review would have seen Watson head back to the dressing room.

Watson pulled a short delivery from Chris Tremlett in front of square on the leg side to get his first four in the innings. Tremlett then bowled a back of a length delivery, but due to his height, the ball bounced a little extra and Watson top edged a pull shot. Broad took a simple catch at mid-on.

As Michael Clarke came in, Alastair Cook immediately brought back Broad into the attack. Broad got Clarke in the first innings with a short delivery. He tried the same tactics in the second innings, but Clarke expected it and pulled one towards mid-wicket for a four. He then pulled another one towards fine-leg for another four. Warner then pushed one from Anderson towards long-on and got three runs and reached his ninth Test half-century.

There was a rain delay at The Gabba, but play resumed soon after. Graeme Swann was brought into the attack and Warner immediately came down the ground and drove through covers for a three. With that the 100 came up for Australia. The scoring-rate increased as both Warner and Clarke looked settled. A couple of half-volleys from Tremlett were dispatched for fours by Warner down the ground.

There was a big appeal for an LBW against Clarke. Swann’s delivery hit Clarke’s pads and the England players appealed, but the umpire said not out. There was a discussion whether to review it or not. Swann and wicketkeeper Matt Prior were keen on reviewing it, but captain Cook was not interested. The replays showed that the ball pitched on leg-stump and would have struck the timber. But it was also umpire’s call, so, it might have not been overturned.

Then it was Warner who survived a big appeal for LBW from Swann. It seemed like the ball struck the pad first before hitting the bat. The umpire again said not out. England reviewed it. But the replays showed that the ball hit the bat first and it was the bat that hit the pads and not the ball. So, the decision stayed.

As lunch was taken, Australia were in control of the match with their score at 145 for two. They led England by 304 runs.

Brief scores:

Australia 295 (David Warner 49, Brad Haddin 94, Mitchell Johnson 64; Stuart Broad 6 for 81) and 145 for 2 (David Warner 83*, Michael Clarke 34*) lead England 136 (Michael Carberry 40, Stuart Broad 32; Mitchell Johnson 4 for 61, Ryan Harris 3 for 28) by 304 runs.

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(Shrikant Shankar is a writer/reporter at CricketCountry.com. Previously he has done audio commentary for various matches involving India, Indian Premier League and Champions League Twenty20 for ESPNSTAR.com. You can follow him on Twitter @Shrikant_23)