England pace trio hit back in third Test

England's pace bowlers ripped out seven Australian wickets for 105 to bring the opening day of the third Ashes test to a dramatic conclusion at Trent Bridge on Thursday.

In overcast conditions and on a pitch with bounce and movement, Andrew Caddick, Darren Gough and Alex Tudor produced a telling riposte after England had been shot out for 185 in 52.5 overs.

Glenn McGrath, who captured five for 49 with another incisive display of seam bowling, seemed to have put Australia on top but England, needing to win to keep the Ashes alive, seized their chance for the first time in the series.

Australia, already 2-0 up in the series, appeared to be making smooth progress in reply to England's modest total until they collapsed from 48 without loss before bad light ended play with four overs remaining.

But wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist, Australia's most successful batsman of the series, was still at the crease.

In all, 17 wickets fell on a pitch, which both sides had expected to favour the batsmen.

Tudor, playing his first Test in two years, began Australia's collapse by removing Matthew Hayden for 33, before Gough dispatched Michael Slater (15) and Ricky Ponting (14). Caddick then took the key wicket of captain Steve Waugh for 13.

When Tudor came back for a second burst he got rid of Mark Waugh (15). Then Caddick, working up pace and finding the rhythm that makes him irresistible, fired out Damien Martyn and Shane Warne in three deliveries.

Caddick ended with three for 39 while Tudor had two for 24 and Gough two for 31.

RELENTLESS McGRATH
Earlier, McGrath, with his relentlessly probing length, line and swing, started England's troubles by accounting for skipper Michael Atherton with the second ball of the match.

He went on to take five wickets in a Test innings for the 20th time, all his victims here being in the top seven in the order.

England's only defiance came from opener Marcus Trescothick, who pulled powerfully and drove handsomely in making 69 from 93 balls, and Alec Stewart, who scored 46.

However, their last seven wickets tumbled for 68 in a collapse that has become a familiar feature of their batting in this series.

Mark Butcher, the most successful England batsman in the series, soon followed Atherton, making only 13 this time before he was squared up by a delivery from McGrath that he edged low to Ponting at third slip.

Trescothick got into his stride at the expense of Jason Gillespie, whom he pulled disdainfully for four and stroked to the cover boundary off consecutive deliveries.

Gillespie, however, struck the third blow when he had Mark Ramprakash caught behind by Gilchrist for 14 as he pushed forward and got a thin outside edge.

England were 63 for three at that stage but Trescothick continued to go for his strokes in that uncomplicated method he uses whether playing for county or country, reaching his half-century from 68 deliveries with nine fours.

TRESCOTHICK COUNTER-ATTACK
Trescothick's counter-attack was ended early in the second session by Gillespie, who angled one across the lefthander, which he edged for Gilchrist to take a diving catch. He made his runs from 93 balls and hit 13 fours.

When Gillespie gave way to a second spell from McGrath, the New South Wales bowler struck twice in consecutive overs. His first ball had Ian Ward caught behind for six and he also removed Craig White for nought after having him missed by Ponting at third slip.

Warne broke the pace bowlers' monopoly by sending back Alex Tudor and Robert Croft, but McGrath completed his five-wicket haul when Stewart pushed at one without moving his feet and edged to Mark Waugh at second slip.

Brett Lee's only wicket came when he knocked back Andrew Caddick's off stump to end the innings.

Scorecard

Mail Cricket Editor