Australians-Lions match nicely poised on day-two

Friday, July 3, 2009 -- The English Lions were 302/6 at the end of the second day aat the County Ground in Worcester, in reply to Australians’ 358 all out as Brett Lee seemed to have cemented his place for the first test match with a five wicket haul.

Earlier, resuming on their overnight total of 337/8, the Aussies were shot out for 358, after Steve Harmison returned to pick up his fourth wicket in the form of the well-set Michael Hussey; bowled off a well pitched up, swinging delivery for 150. Graham Onions wrapped up the innings with his third wicket, while Tim Bresnan bagged three as well.
In reply, the Lions’ openers Joe Denly and Stephen Moore began with confidence and soon had put all the Aussie bowlers to sword. The duo added 172 for the first wicket and the match seemed to be slipping away from the Australian grasp when Lee was called back into the attack. He first dislodged the opening stand – Denly bowled for a duck – and then had captain Ian Bell yorked for a duck off the very first delivery to leave the Lions at 172/2.

More was to follow, as Vikram Solanki, Moore and Eoin Morgan fell within 11 runs off each other, all to Lee as the Lions now slumped to 209/5. All the wickets had been claimed by Lee, in a stunning spell of reverse swing bowling at consistent speeds of more than 90 mph. Lee’s removal from the attack showed how difficult the pitch was for the bowlers as the wicket-keeper Steve Davies and Adil Rashid added an invaluable 86 for the sixth wicket.

Marcus North did manage to separate the duo, but the Lions ended the day without further loss at 302/6 and 56 runs adrift of Australians’ total. Nathan Hauritz was smashed around again for 80 runs in his 18 runs, making his chances of playing in the side in danger.