Broad treble sparks England recovery

Stuart Broad took three wickets, including Australia captain and batting linchpin Michael Clarke, as England reduced the tourists to 75 for three at lunch on Saturday's second day of the fourth Ashes Test at Chester-le-Street. That left Australia, 2-0 down in the five-match series after a drawn third Test meant they couldn't regain the Ashes, 163 runs behind England's seemingly modest first innings 238. Chris Rogers was 41 not out and Steven Smith 17 not out, with Broad taking three wickets for 23 runs in seven overs. England, 238 for nine overnight, failed to add to their total before last man James Anderson was bowled by Jackson Bird. But, with overcast conditions aiding the pacemen, Broad struck in the fourth over of Australia's reply when he seamed one back in to clip the top of left-hander David Warner's off-stump. And 12 for one became 12 for two when Broad, taking two for none in seven balls, had Usman Khawaja, uncertain whether to play or leave, caught behind for a duck off the bottom edge by wicketkeeper Matt Prior. Once again Clarke, Australia's best batsman, who made a brilliant 187 -- the tourists' only century of the series so far -- at Old Trafford, came in with his side in trouble. England carelessly wasted a review after Rogers, on 16, was given not out by umpire Tony Hill after Broad appealed for lbw, with replays confirming what seemed obvious, namely that the ball had pitched outside leg stump. However, the latest controversy involving the Decision Review System this series was not long in coming when Hill gave Rogers out caught behind off Broad on 20. This time Rogers reviewed and the much-criticised Hot Spot element of the DRS indicated he hadn't hit the ball. Although the ball hit Rogers' back pad, Hawk Eye tracking technology said the ball was just clipping the bails and the 'umpire's call' verdict meant Rogers, who subsequently hit several well-struck boundaries, was not out lbw either. But there was no dispute when Clarke, without moving his feet, drove loosely on six at a Broad outswinger and England captain Alastair Cook held a sharp chance above his head at first slip to leave Australia 49 for three. Source: AFP