http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746’s middle order batsmen Michael Hussey has admitted his side will be hoping for the heavens to open, on the final day of the second Ashes Test. Australia will start the day with a 137-run deficit with six wickets in hand.
The home side would have been confident of forcing at least a draw out of the match but Michael http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Clarke-c51120’s wicket in the final over of the day put England in the driving seat.
Clarke was dismissed by part time off-spinner Kevin Pietersen, who was bowling only his second over of the innings. Australia’s only hope for saving the Test rests on the shoulders of the reliable Hussey and the weather.
England declared their first innings early on the fourth day, on 620 for 5, to acquire a lead of 375 runs. Australia responded reasonably well; the openers put an opening stand of 84 runs before Katich was dismissed on 43. Loss of 2 quick wickets however
reduced the home side to 134 for 3. Australia ended the day at 238 for 4 with Clarke the last man dismissed.
Australia were helped by a 57-minute delay when rain interrupted play during the afternoon session. Hussey has admitted Australia will be helped by a few hours of rain on the 5th day of the Test. He however insisted Australia needs to fight it
out in the middle and not wait for any favours form the changing weather.
Hussey said, “A little bit of rain would help, that's for sure. I don't think we can look at the weather too much; we've just got to try and concentrate on batting as much time as we can and hanging in there. We're going to need a bit of luck, the conditions
are pretty tough for batting at times, but certainly, a couple of hours of rain would help our cause.”
Hussey will be joined by out of form Marcus North at the start of play on day 5. North will be under immense pressure as this will most likely be his final chance to retain his place in the side.
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