 Strauss's field placings during the Clarke-Haddin stand were questioned
England are on the way to securing their first win against Australia at Lord's for 75 years, but have been frustrated by a stubborn stand between Michael Clarke and Brad Haddin which has even raised Australia's hopes of pulling off an astonishing victory. Together they have added 185 for the sixth wicket after Graeme Swann and Andrew Flintoff had reduced Australia to 128-5, and the match appeared destined to end within four days. Flintoff, clearly still hampered by his sore right knee, thundered in like a man possessed and worked up a ferocious pace as, at the other end, Swann found some encouraging spin and removed two left-handers, Mike Hussey and Marcus North. Unfortunately, there was more than a hint of controversy about three of the dismissals. First, replays showed that Flintoff overstepped when he bowled the ball at Simon Katich which was driven to Kevin Pietersen in the gully. It was only the fourth over of the innings and just the start - and stroke of luck - that England wanted. There's no doubt that England have the measure of Phillip Hughes at the moment. He might still score runs in this series, but his weaknesses have been exposed and exploited. Flintoff at full tilt was always going to be a nasty proposition for him and, on 17, he edged low to Strauss at first slip.  | 606: DEBATE |
Hughes began to walk, but Ricky Ponting told him to stay, forcing the umpires to confer. It didn't take long for Billy Doctrove, at square leg to raise his finger - without calling for the replay that Ponting wanted. With Hughes on his way back, the first replay was shown and I suspect the third umpire would have given the batsman the benefit of the doubt, as always happens in those cases. Hussey was given out caught at slip off Swann, but the replays suggested that he did not edge the ball which simply spun sharply. None of this will lift Ponting's humour one bit. But Clarke and Haddin dug in determinedly and were assisted, I felt, with some curious field placements. Why on earth Strauss felt the need to give Swann a deep point while needing five wickets to win, rather than a man catching on the off side, I don't know. Similarly, a deep point was set for the second new ball. Clarke's innings was a beauty - full of defiance but also flair - and it is lovely to watch a modern batsman busily using his feet to the spinner and driving to mid off. Australia need a further 209 and you can never say never, but England are still favourites to seal their win tomorrow, and then address their concerns over the fitness of both Flintoff and Pietersen.
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