CRICKET

Watson puts Australia

on top in Ashes finale

  Australia’s Shane Watson celebrates reaching his during the fifth Ashes Test  against England

Visitors hope to get Consolation win

By Ben Priechenfried

LONDON: Shane Watson’s first Test cricket century in 48 innings put Australia in control on day one of the Ashes series finale against England.

     At stumps on Wednesday's first day ,Australia were 307 for four as they sought a consolation victory in a five-match series already won by England at 3-0 up.

     Watson, who scored 216 runs in the previous eight innings in the best-of-five contest, dominated England’s bowling attack yesterday to achieve his highest Test score and third hundred overall. Steven Smith was unbeaten on 66 and Peter Siddle not out 18 as the visiting team reached 307-4 by the close of play at the Oval in London.

     Batting at No. 3, his fourth different position of the series, Watson said this has been his toughest tour mentally. “I’ve had to have a deep look at myself a number of times,” he told Sky Sports. “I’ve been working hard on the technical side of my batting.” 

     England, seeking its first 4-0 series victory against its oldest rival, struggled to contain Australia after captain Michale Clarke won the toss and elected to bat. Watson’s quick scoring took the total to 112-1 in the morning session after David Warner was caught behind off James Anderson for six.

     England dismissed Chris Rogers for 23 and Clarke for seven after lunch, though couldn’t get any momentum, with captain Alastair Cook dropping Watson on 104.

      In the final session, Australia added another 124 runs for the loss of only one wicket as Watson and Smith pushed their partnership to 145.
     Watson’s innings ended when he was caught by a diving Kelvin Pietersen at fine leg to give Stuart Broad his only wicket of the day.

     England spinner Simon Kerrigan had a disappointing Test debut, ending day one with 0-53 in eight overs. Chris Woakes, also making his debut, almost claimed his first Test wicket when Watson was given out leg before wicket on 166. The Australian, out lbw four times in the series, called for a review and the umpire was overruled.

     Anderson’s dismissal of Clarke, his 326th in Tests, took the fast bowler above Bob willis to become England’s second-highest wicket-taker of all time, behind Ian Botham.AFP 

Reported By Arisa    Ngamkham
From http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-08-21/watson-s-176-gives-australia-control-of-last-ashes-cricket-test.html