Cricket: Harmison lifts World 11's spirits

SYDNEY -  Paceman Steve Harmison lifted the spirits of the World 11 with two quick Australian wickets just before lunch in the Super Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney today.


The Englishman knocked back the stumps of Matthew Hayden (77) and Michael Clarke (5) just before the interval but Australia still held an imposing lead of 319 runs.


Hayden backed up his hundred in the first innings with a composed half century as the home team stretched their advantage beyond 300 with seven wickets in hand.


After resuming at 66 for one in the second innings, Australia moved to 164 for three at lunch on day three.


Ricky Ponting (52no) and Simon Katich (1no) were at the crease.


World 11 skipper Graeme Smith opted to open today with spinner Muttiah Muralitharan instead of Harmison despite the morning conditions being the most favourable for the quicks in this match.


The Sri Lankan had lbw appeals turned down against Ponting and Hayden in the opening session but it was Harmison who made the breakthrough.


The lanky Durham quick deceived Hayden with a slower ball which crashed into his off stump before Harmison hit the same peg in his very next over, with a ball that sailed straight between Clarke's bat and pad.


Katich, who was run out for a duck trying to make his first run in the opening innings, got off the mark with another streaky single.Australia

First innings 345

World 11

First innings 190

Australia

Second innings (66-1 overnight)
J Langer c Smith b Kallis 22
M Hayden b Harmison 77
R Ponting not out 52
M Clarke b Harmison 5
S Katich not out 1
Extras (b3, lb2, nb2) 7
Total (3 wkts, 46 overs) 164

Fall: 30, 152, 160

Bowling: Harmison 11-1-41-2, Flintoff 8-0-34-0 (1nb), Kallis 3-1-3-1, Muralitharan 14-1-43-0, Vettori 10-0-38-0 (1nb)

- AAP