register to 888sport
888sport time:

Preview Based News

England continue to labour

Author: Rose Young
Date: 12/07/2009

Australia dominated the third day of the first Test at Cardiff as England's bowling attack laboured on a benign wicket.

At the close of play the tourists were 479-5 in reply to England's first-innings total of 435.

James Anderson finally ended the magnificent 239-run partnership for the second wicket between Ricky Ponting and Simon Katich (122) when the opener was struck on the boot and deemed to be lbw.

Mike Hussey (3) never really looked settled and had several scares before Anderson took his second wicket.

The Lancashire bowler's inswinger caught the edge of Hussey's bat and sailed through to Matt Prior who kept hold of the low ball.

Just before lunch Monty Panesar enjoyed a large slice of luck when Ponting chopped the ball onto his stumps, the Australia captain finally being dismissed for 150.

Australia dominated the rest of the day though as Michael Clarke (83) and Marcus North added 143 runs for the fifth wicket.

Can Australia beat England and the weather to secure victory in the first Ashes Test of the summer? - Latest Cricket Betting

Rain curtailed the final session allowing only nine overs to be bowled, but at least England were able to dismiss Clarke who played forward to Stuart Broad and gloved the ball through to Prior.

North (54 not out) and Brad Haddin, unbeaten on four, were still there when bad light and drizzle forced the players to leave the field for the final time.

Leeds Rhinos scored two tries in the last two minutes to clinch a thrilling 32-30 win at Wakefield Trinity Wildcats and move level on points with St Helens at the top of the Super League table.

The home side led 16-10 at the interval and, when Leeds' Brent Webb was sin-binned with ten minutes left, the Rhinos still trailed 30-22.

But Rob Burrow touched down for his second try of the match and, with the home fans pleading for the hooter to sound, Scott Donald dived over in the corner for a momentous score.

Wigan Warriors also came back from a half-time deficit, scoring two tries in the last 15 minutes to seal a 22-20 home win against Catalans Dragons.

In the Tour de France, home rider Brice Feillu won the stage, the 224km section from Barcelona to Andorra Arcalis, but it is Italy's Rinaldo Nocentini who took the yellow jersey on the first mountain stage of the event.

However, it was Spaniard and online betting favourite to win the race, Alberto Contador, who made what could be a decisive late break.

He finished 22 seconds ahead of his Astana team-mate Lance Armstrong after a breathtaking late move that took him away from the main group.

online betting