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Awesome Aussies McGrath, Waugh punish slack England
Updated: Saturday July 21, 2001 5:55 AM
LONDON (AP) -- A magnificent century by Mark Waugh and a five-wicket haul by fast bowler Glenn McGrath put Australia in the box seat of the second Ashes cricket test at Lord's on Friday. After McGrath's 5-54 had dismissed the home side for 187, Waugh's 108 lifted Australia to 255 for five at stumps and a lead of 68 runs. On a wicket already producing unpredictable bounce, the Waugh twins - Mark and skipper Steve, 44 runs - shared a vital 107-run stand for the fourth wicket to have Australia well placed to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match Ashes series. First test century-makers Damien Martyn, 24 not out and Adam Gilchrist, who took 28 minutes to score his first run, on 10 not out, will resume Saturday as Australia looks to consolidate its strong position in the match. The pair overcame the loss of two early wickets for 27 runs and Michael Slater's fall at 105 for three to further demoralize an England attack that was let down by poor catching once again. Mark Waugh was dropped off the last ball before tea on 59 while Steve Waugh was dropped by Darren Gough off his own bowling in addition to a couple of half chances he offered to second slip. In the series opener at Edgbaston, England dropped five catches and missed a stumping, which finished in a lopsided victory for Australia. England was forced to rue missed opportunities as the Waughs moved Australia into an unassailable position. Mark Waugh was dismissed for 99 in his debut innings at Lord's in 1993. Friday, his brother ensured Mark Waugh got his century, nursing him through the 90s. Mark Waugh played and missed repeatedly against swing bowler Andy Caddick, 2-67, who also hit him on the grill of his helmet. Two balls later, he elegantly flicked a Caddick delivery, as he had done all day for most of his 14 boundaries, to reach his fifth century against England and his 19th in a 113-test career. It's been a good test for Mark Waugh. On the first day he snared his 157th catch to dismiss Mark Butcher and share the world record for most catches in a career with former captain Mark Taylor. Five balls after reaching his century, Mark took on Gough at mid on and was run out and left to a standing ovation by the capacity crowd after a two-hour alliance with his brother. Steve Waugh contributed just 39 runs during the stand. The partnership followed the 133 runs they shared in Edgbaston, which laid the foundation for the innings and 118-run win. Mark stole the thunder on the second day after McGrath had bowled outstandingly to once again expose the weaknesses in the England batting. McGrath, like legspinner Shane Warne, a serial destroyer of England, cut through the home batting, taking 3-1 in 20 balls before lunch. He left new ball partner Jason Gillespie (2-56) and Warne (2-16) to mop up the tail. Resuming the day on 121 for four after a rain-shortened first day, England lost its last eight wickets for 91 runs in an all too familiar batting collapse. McGrath, who took a career-best 8-38 in his previous Lord's test in 1997, took his five wickets in a 74-ball spell for 12 runs afted the home side had been forced to bat under darkened skies on Thursday after losing the toss. Bowling from the famous Lord's pavilion end as he did in his last visit here, McGrath bowled a disconcerting line, swinging the ball both ways to destroy the England middle-order. Playing in his 72nd test and the 15th against England, he took his Ashes tally to 75 wickets with the help of his fourth five-wicket haul. It was the 19th time he had taken five wickets in an innings and he now has a career tally of 335 wickets. Resuming the day on 121 for four after a rain-shortened first day, England crashed to 130 for seven inside the first 30 minutes of the day. Slater, who helped Mark Waugh add 78 runs for the third wicket,
was taken to a nearby hospital for a precautionary x-ray after
taking a blow from Gough on his right index finger. X-rays
confirmed no breaks.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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