Brett Lee hunts down Lions by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Ground:	County Ground, New Road, Worcester
Scorecard:	England Lions v Australians
Player:	SC Moore, B Lee
Event:	Australia in British Isles 2009

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DateLine: 3rd July 2009

 

Brett Lee enhanced his chances to make it to the 11 with a devastating spell on a day otherwise dominated by Lions batsman Stephen Moore.

 

Lee returned figures of 5/53 off 20 overs as the hosts ended the day at 302 for six.

 

Opener Moore scored a brilliant 120 out and in the process put 172 for the first wicket with Kent's Joe Denly as the Australian attack laboured in the initial phase. But Lee, out to prove his fitness, ripped through the batting in a seven over spell to give his side a major boost ahead of the first Test next week.

 

Earlier, the Lions needed only 6.4 overs to pick up the final two Australia wickets after Mike Hussey added seven to his overnight score to reach 150. He was then bowled by Steve Harmison. Then Nathan Hauritz sliced Graham Onions to Denly at point as the tourists folded for 358.

 

Brett Lee's impact could have been much more had Moore not survived an lbw decision that went his way when he was on nought. The batsman had another let-off on 41 when keeper Brad Haddin put him down off Stuart Clark. This was Moore's first century since last September and it came off 147 balls with 14 fours and two sixes. Both the openers took maximum advantage of Hauritz hitting him for many a maximums. It was then that the return of Lee brought the tourists back into the game.

 

Denly, having grafted his way to 66 from 131 deliveries, was bowled by a ball that reversed and skipper Ian Bell fell next ball when he was trapped in front. New batsman Vikram Solanki survived the hat-trick ball but after scoring eight was bowled off his pads. Then Moore's innings was ended when he tried to hook Lee only to get a top edge that Haddin this time held on to.

 

Moore admitted he was grateful to the selectors to give him another chance despite a disappointing start to the season. Lee picked up his fifth wicket when Eoin Morgan fell lbw having made just four as the Lions lost five wickets for 37 runs in 12 overs. But after this wicketkeeper Steven Davies and spinner Adil Rashid put on a good 86 for the sixth wicket. The former making 53 with seven boundaries before edging part-time spinner Marcus North to slip. Rashid remained unbeaten on 36 as the Lions reached 302 for six with Tim Bresnan the other not out batsman.