Pattinson gives Aussies the edge

Australia were in a strong position at stumps on day three of their warm-up match against Somerset, needing 224 runs on the final to win at Taunton, following James Pattinson's heroics with the ball.

Australia were in a strong position at stumps on day three of their warm-up match against Somerset, needing 224 runs on the final to win at Taunton, following James Pattinson's heroics with the ball.

The fast bowler took three top-order wickets, adding to the four he took in the first innings, which allowed his side's batsmen to reach 36 for none at stumps, after Somerset were all out for 260.

Australia were batting in their first innings when play began for the day, sitting on 266 for four. Phil Hughes was on 44 at the start, and went on to make 76 not out as he look to impress selectors ahead of Trent Bridge.

Brad Haddin was on 38 when play began but was unable to add to his score, falling to Jamie Overton off the first ball of the day. This left James Faulkner to bat alongside Hughes, and he made 22 before the Aussies declared on 321 for five.

Somerset's knock started off well, with former England opener Marcus Trescothick and current candidate for the post, Nick Compton, putting on 68 for the first wicket. Their stand ended when Tresco was caught behind by Haddin off Pattinson for 32.

Chris Jones, who made a century in the first knock, was unable to replicate that form and was out for just one, trapped LBW by Pattinson. Compton fell 15 runs later, caught in front by spinner Nathan Lyon.

James Hildreth and Craig Kieswetter pushed the score to 141, before the latter was also dismissed by Pattinson, leaving Hildreth to make his way to 75 with the support of Alex Barrow, who made eight.

Peter Trego took up the responsibility for the knock once Hildreth departed, making 60 off 53 balls, but the wickets tumbled around him as Craig Meschede and George Dockrell were out for ducks, and Overton was caught by Haddin off Peter Siddle.

The Aussies batted for eight overs before bad light stopped play, with Ed Cowan (14) and Usman Khawaja (18) looking solid in the fading light and ensuring a full complement of batsmen to make the charge on the final day.

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