Harmy Piles On Misery For Hughes

Steve Harmison gave another reminder of his ability to watching England national selector Geoff Miller as he piled on more misery for Phillip Hughes.
Steve Harmison gave another reminder of his ability to watching England national selector Geoff Miller as he piled on more misery for Australian opener Phillip Hughes ahead of the opening Ashes Test.
Harmison did all he could to convince Miller he should be involved at Cardiff next Wednesday when in England Lions action against a nervy-looking Hughes at New Road.
The Durham paceman had accounted for the 20-year-old with a short pitched delivery in the first innings after making only seven.
And it was the same scenario today with Hughes on eight when he gloved a rising ball from Harmison, bowling around the wicket, to Eoin Morgan at second slip.
It was the major focal point of the third day's play despite all-rounder Marcus North playing himself into form for the tourists with 106 not out.
Harmison bowled with plenty of pace and fire on a slow, lifeless wicket which he had strongly criticised after the first day's play, but 20-year-old Hughes has much to work on during the next five days despite averaging 60 in Test cricket.
Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting (15) also looked ill at ease before edging Harmison to Adil Rashid at gulley after not getting to the pitch of the ball – his third failure in his last four innings.
But North, promoted two places to number four in the over, at least provided some cheer for his team-mates following scores of 1, 11 and 1 although he was fortunate to survive a run out scare on 14 when well short of his crease.
He added 49 in 18 overs with Simon Katich (37) who fell to a superb reflex catch at short leg by Lions century-maker Stephen Moore off Rashid.
North, who made a century on his Test debut against South Africa in January, went to his half century off 102 balls. But he needed only another 66 deliveries to complete his hundred which contained 13 fours.
He figured a fourth wicket stand of 170 in 39 overs with Michael Clarke who made 80 off 129 balls before lofting occasional spinner Vikram Solanki to Graham Onions at long on.
North finished unbeaten on 106 out of 276 for four – an overall lead of 282.
Australia gained a narrow first innings lead of six runs after dismissing the Lions for 352. Paceman Brett Lee claimed his sixth victim when he bowled Sajid Mahmood for a duck.
He had the opportunity to surpass his career best seven for 114 for New South Wales against South Australia in 2002 only for wicket-keeper Brad Haddin to spill a chance offered by Harmison.
Mitchell Johnson picked up his first wicket of the innings when he bowled Tim Bresnan (five) via the inside edge.
Lee accounted for Mahmood (nought) with the ball striking him on the shoulder and then bouncing down on to the stumps and dislodging the bails.
Rashid reached his half century off 89 balls with a slash backward of point off Lee which brought him his seventh boundary.
Stuart Clark mopped up the innings after replacing Johnson. His third delivery brought about the end of Rashid (66) who perished to a fine catch by Mike Hussey away to his left at gulley.
Then Onions (eight) drove Clark straight to Hughes at extra cover.
Latest
-
News
Paul Collingwood backs Ollie Pope to lead England fightback at Lord’s
South Africa’s charge was halted by the rain.
-
News
Ollie Pope’s bid to lead England recovery against South Africa halted by rain
Pope was unbeaten on 61 in England’s 116 for six when rain brought an early end to the day’s play.
-
News
Rain stops play as Ollie Pope bids to lead England recovery against South Africa
The 24-year-old brought up his half-century just before lunch and was unbeaten on 61 when the rain set in.
-
News
Sir Andrew Strauss hopes review will make English game ‘cleaner and more simple’
Strauss was asked earlier this year by the ECB to begin a review of English cricket.
-
News
Ollie Pope helps England recover from rocky start as South Africa strike early
The 24-year-old brought up his half-century just before lunch after England had slipped to 55 for four.
-
News
Jemimah Rodrigues: Women’s Indian Premier League can build on the Hundred’s work
The inaugural season was seen as a resounding success for its acceleration of the women’s game
-
The Hundred
Deandra Dottin’s an all-round success as Manchester Originals beat Welsh Fire
The former West Indies star excelled with bat and ball at Old Trafford.
-
News
Ben Stokes insists England will adopt front-foot approach in all circumstances
England begin their Test series with South Africa at Lord’s on Wednesday aiming to keep playing bold cricket.
-
News
Dean Elgar warns South Africa are ‘not here to play soft-natured cricket’
The Proteas skipper also insisted nothing should be read into their heavy defeat to England Lions last week.
-
Ireland
Ireland all-rounder Kevin O’Brien retires from international cricket aged 38
The 38-year-old’s century secured a famous World Cup victory over England in 2011.