Aussie duo maintain momentum (From Gazette Series)

Aussie duo maintain momentum

12:01pm Friday 10th July 2009 in

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Australia strengthened their grip on the first npower Ashes Test by negotiating the opening half-hour of the third morning at Cardiff.

Centurions Ricky Ponting and Simon Katich both struck boundaries as the England attack struggled to separate them.

England captain Andrew Strauss turned to spin twins Monty Panesar and Graeme Swann bowling in tandem ahead of the second new ball, which was taken at 281 for one.

The second-wicket pair were both unbeaten on 118, each punishing any erring in length.

Ponting disdainfully dismissed a couple of Swann full tosses, including his very first delivery, while Katich cut hard at Panesar for one of his fours.