England extend advantage

12 April 2012

England lost both openers after lunch but swelled their advantage over Australia beyond 300 on the third day of the second npower Ashes Test at Lord's.

Off-spinner Nathan Hauritz shook off the effects of dislocating a finger in his bowling hand on day one to dismiss captain Andrew Strauss (32) and Alastair Cook (32) in consecutive overs.

Cook was pinned leg before, falling over, by a delivery that just gripped on the surface while Strauss was undone by a big turner that flew off the edge to slip as England opened up their advantage to 315 in reaching 105 for two.

They should have been in a worse situation but Australia captain Ricky Ponting somehow bodged a straightforward chance at second slip when Peter Siddle enticed a false stroke from Ravi Bopara.

Ponting also missed with a shy at the stumps, attempting to run out Kevin Pietersen, in the previous over as a big lbw appeal stoked mayhem.

After England opted not to enforce the follow-on, a flurry of boundaries against the new ball enhanced the home side's position.

Earlier in the day, Graham Onions claimed two for nine in three overs as Australia, who resumed overnight on 156 for eight, were dismissed for 215 on the third morning.

Onions' display, which ended the stubborn resistance of Hauritz and Siddle, provided England with the option of making Australia bat again but captain Strauss instead decided to have another go in batsman-friendly conditions.

Onions tempted Hauritz into pushing outside off-stump and he edged to Paul Collingwood at third slip, who claimed the catch above his head. Hauritz had contributed 24 vital runs to a stubborn 44-run stand in only 45 minutes, but departed the crease with Australia still 32 runs shy.