LONDON, Aug 20:
Australia battled grimly to 184 for two at tea on the first day of the final test against England at The Oval today as they bid for a consolation victory to end the Ashes series.
David Warner made 85 and Chris Rogers 43 to give the touring side a solid start but England removed both openers in the afternoon session to leave the match nicely poised.
Steve Smith was unbeaten on 29 at the interval with captain Michael Clarke, given a standing ovation on his way to the crease in his final test match, on 14 not out.
Rogers and Warner had adopted a risk-free strategy after being asked to bat in overcast conditions with memories of their collapse to 60 all out on the first morning of the last test fresh in their minds. They scored only 19 runs in the first hour and the first boundary came in the 15th over, the pair trying hard to lay a platform for their team after England regained the Ashes last week in Nottingham. Australia took lunch on 82 for no wicket and the openers increased the scoring rate after the interval. They looked in control until Rogers was surprised by a lifting ball from Mark Wood, edging a catch to first slip which Alastair Cook took at the second attempt to end a stand of 110.
Warner, closing in on his first century of the series, pushed forward to spinner Moeen Ali and nicked the ball to Adam Lyth at slip, swishing his bat in frustration before trudging off.
Clarke was given a standing ovation by the crowd and a guard of honour by the England players as he walked out to bat in his 11th test. The hosts are 3-1 up in the series. (Agencies)
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