Waugh cracks century as Australia set the pace

Mark Waugh completed his 19th Test century and put on a hundred partnership with his twin brother Steve as Australia continued to dictate the pace in the second Ashes Test against England at Lord's on Friday, 20th July.

The touring side rubbed in their all-round superiority as they closed the second day on 255 for five, scoring at almost four runs an over and giving them a 68-run first-innings lead as Waugh competed with Glenn McGrath for the day's honours.

The pace bowler had taken five for 54 during England's miserable collapse to 187 all out just before lunch.

Waugh, who made 108, looked in imperious form from ball one, torturing the seamers with a repeated showing of his trademark shot, a casual flick off his toes to the midwicket and square-leg boards.

England fought back by reducing Australia to 27 for two, Andrew Caddick removing Matthew Hayden for a duck with his fifth delivery in front of a big crowd and Darren Gough accounting for Ricky Ponting in the fifth over, both falling to slip catches.

The right-handed Waugh, however, resumed normal service as he helped put on 78 for the third wicket, Michael Slater eventually top-edging Caddick behind off an attempted pull for 25, then teamed up with his twin and captain.

They put on 107, galloping along at four runs an over, before Mark Waugh's downfall.

After a few nervous strokes in the 90s, he had reached three figures with an inside edge to fine leg only to misjudge a sharp single and depart to a direct throw from mid-on from Gough with the score on 212.

His 170-ball innings contained 14 fours.

It was soon 230 for five when Steve Waugh, dropped earlier off a regulation return catch that Gough contrived to spill as he landed in an ungainly heap, gloved a Cork leg-side lifter behind after scoring 45.

That brought Adam Gilchrist (10 not out) in to join Damien Martyn (24 not out). Ominously, both made hundreds in Australia's victory in the first Test.

EXTRAORDINARY SPELL
The morning had belonged to the miserly McGrath as England, resuming on 121 for four, lost three wickets for 10 runs.

McGrath, his aim locked on the off stump, removed Stewart, Thorpe and White in an extraordinary spell of three for one run from 20 balls.

Wicket to wicket, the lanky right-arm pace bowler, who dismissed Michael Atherton and Mark Butcher late on Thursday, took five for 12 in 12.2 overs. It was the 19th time he had claimed five wickets in a Test innings.

Alec Stewart and Thorpe, the key men, were parted with just five runs added, Stewart fencing at a short ball he could have left and edging behind for a 10-ball duck.

Three runs later and Thorpe, in his first match for six weeks following injury, went in similar fashion, flicking at an away swinger after scoring 20. Craig White then fell for a duck.

England's only high point came during a spirited 47-run stand for the eighth wicket between Ian Ward and Cork.

Cork, provoking a barrage of bouncers, even managed a top-edged six off McGrath before cutting a Jason Gillespie long-hop straight to Ponting at point after making 24 off 28 balls. Shane Warne concluded matters with two tailenders for 16. England lost their last nine wickets for 112 runs.

England have beaten Australia just once at Lord's in 105 years and 25 matches, while the tourists have won 17 of their last 19 Tests, as well as the last six Ashes series.

Scorecard

Mail Cricket Editor