Clarke & Haddin frustrate England
Date released: 19 July 2009
Day four of the Ashes Test at Lord's starts with England leading by 521 runs and ends with Michael Clarke and Brad Haddin blocking their route to victory.
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Day four summary
Australia: 215 & 313-5
England: 311-6 & 425
Batsmen (runs): Michael Clarke (125) & Brad Haddin (80)
Bowlers: Pavilion End: Andrew Flintoff
Nursery End: James Anderson
6:57pm: That's the official word in at last - play abandoned for the day.
Thank you, again, for following the match with Lords.org. We'll be back bright an early (well, by at least 10am) on Monday for what should be another thrilling day's play.
See you tomorrow.
6:29pm: Officially we have 12 overs left for play today but it will be a big surprise if the light improves well enough for the players to come back out - even with the floodlights on, as they are.
6:27pm: What a day we've had the match is really on a knife edge. You feel if England could have just got one of these batsmen they'd have been well on top.
Not a bar of it from Clarke and Haddin - Clarke especially has batted with patience, style, skill and endurance in a chanceless 125.
6:25pm: The umpires have offered the light - the batsmen gleefully scamper off to rapturous applause. Clarke and Haddin have both batted magnificently.
6:20pm 86th over: A single far Haddin means we resume Flintoff v Clarke.
6:16pm 85th over: Haddin swings wildly at that one and it goes over the slips - and away for four.
Luck for Haddin - going by the mantra of "If you flash at it, flash hard."
6:10pm 84th over: Clarke's calling to the dressing room - he wants something for his bat it looks like. Hardly surprising, he's probably worn it out!
Flintoff held up whilst Clarke and near-namesake Stuart Clark tape the former's bat.
Fifth ball of the over - some skip off the pitch for Flintoff and it beats Clarke's bat. Good ball.
6:06pm 83rd over: Anderson squares Haddin up - a good length and it nipped away from Haddin's proffered bat.
Clarke finds the boundary again - good shot, which brings up Australia's 300.
6:02pm 82nd over: Another big cheer goes up - Andrew Flintoff taking off his jumper, ready to bowl.
First ball is loose and short from Flintoff - Brad Haddin happy to take that one, with an uppercut for four.
Three slips in place for Flintoff's over. Clarke's swinging... and edging... and away for four.
5:57pm 81st over: New ball officially confirmed - and given to Anderson, bowling at the Nursery End this time.
Two slips and a gully in place for this Anderson over - not that attacking with the field settings. England really would like one of these wickets before the close.
Good over from Anderson - a maiden, well cheered by the crowd at Lord's.
5:56pm: Strauss calls the whole team together for a long chat. England take the new ball, Anderson with it - Strauss really trying to keep his team on their toes.
5:51pm 80th over: Swann heads off up the Pavilion steps now - a sure signal that England will take the new ball after this over, bowled by Collingwood. That was a long spell from Swann.
Lovely, delicate shot from Haddin - just letting that one come on to him and just guiding it away for four to the third man boundary.
A different stroke from Haddin but the same result - four. This one a powerful drive through mid-wicket.
5:48pm 79th over: A well-earned drink brought on for these two batsmen, just before Swann starts this over.
The Lord's floodlights are warming up again - some of the bulbs burning into life.
A single for Clarke makes this partnership worth 150 now - very well played.
5:45pm 78th over: Collingwood perseveres from the Pavilion End - after this over, there's two more until the new ball is on offer.
Just one run from the over.
5:42pm 77th over: Flintoff and Pietersen both back on the field: Cockbain and Eckersley head off the field again.
Swann bowling to Haddin. Loose again from Swann - Haddin carting that to the square leg boundary. Four.
5:38pm 76th over: Clarke just pushes that into the gap - they run three.
There's an interesting note - this morning, Australia needed 261 runs, per day, to win. They're on 265 now.
Clarke's not stopping after his century - barely any backlift and he just punches Collingwood to the boundary for four. Great shot.
5:35pm 75th over: Haddin binks the first ball for a single and he's got 50 - from 95 balls, bringing Clarke on strike.
Next ball and Clarke has his landmark - they run two and Clarke is kissing the badge on his helmet. That's a great innings - well done Michael Clarke - he'll have his name on the Lord's Honours Board.
Usually the player's team-mates can't wait - a bit of tape with a hand-written name should be awaiting Michael Clarke when he does, eventually, head back to the Australia dressing room.
5:31pm 74th over: A paddled shot for Clarke brings two, taking him to 98... the Aussie team crowding on the balcony expectantly.
A single and Clarke's on 99. Haddin's on 48, near his own landmark. One for Haddin has him on 49.
5:28pm 73rd over: A poor ball from Swann is cut away towards the third man boundary - Broad races around from the cover boundary to save it going for four - they run three.
A single from Clarke brings up 250 for Australia.
5:24pm 72nd over: More good line and length stuff from Collingwood.
Four for Clarke as he moves to 95, that one raced down the slope to the Mound Stand here at Lord's.
A reminder, whilst you wait for either more runs or a breakthrough (depending which team you're backing!):
5:22pm 71st over: Swann stays on at the Nursery End - just one run from the over.
5:18pm 70th over: England have had a rethink during that drinks break - Paul Collingwood comes on to bowl.
Good over from 'Colly' - a maiden.
Collingwood bowling has us thinking...
Your emails - lots of the England players have nicknames but they’re pretty tame ones: Paul ‘Colly’ Collingwood; Kevin ‘KP’ Pietersen - hardly inventive are they? We’re sure you can come up with better.
Our best effort: Dimitri 'Smash'carenhas - and he’s not even in the squad. Send us yours: Live@Lords.org
5:14pm: Another MCC Young Cricketer, Ned Eckersley, trots out carrying drinks for the England team. It must be a thrilling experience for these youngsters.
5:12pm 68th over: Ian Cockbain on the field for Pietersen this time - 'KP' presumably resting that sore Achilles.
5:08pm 67th over: Strauss still adjusting his field settings - this must be a frustrating time to be a captain - but it's resolute stuff from the Australians.
Sharp fielding by the YCs' Ian Cockbain soon sends Clarke back as he considered a quick single.
Clarke does get a single and he's into the 90s. Four byes as that one beats both Haddin and his opposite number Prior.
5:04pm 66th over: A single for Haddin takes him into the 40s.
5:01pm 65th over: Strauss has a long chat to Anderson before this over.
Meanwhile, up here in the Investec Media Centre Phil Tuffnel does his best London commuter impression - talking loudly in the otherwise rather quiet Media Centre.
4:58pm 64th over: Still Swann at the Nursery End, bowling into the breeze.
A single for Clarke makes this a century partnership - well played these two, well received by the knowledgeable crowd at Lord's.
4:52pm 63rd over: Anderson replaces Broad at the Pavilion End, a rare chance for Anderson to bowl with the breeze at his back.
A single for Haddin brings up 'Nelson' 222. For the superstitious that's an unlucky score in England (any multiple of 111) - oddly, the 'unlucky' number in Australia is 87, 187, 287 etc. as it's 13 from the hundred.
Haddin cuts - it looks like it's looping to the slips but it's over them... and away for four.
4:49pm 63rd over: Haddin pushes Swann through one of the four men around the bat for a single.
Once again some gusting wind dislodges the bails - they might call for the heavy bails at this rate.
More good fielding from Anderson turns a four into just two for Clarke.
4:46pm 62nd over: Broad trying to bounce out Clarke - but the Aussie vice-captain too well settled to fall for that.
A maiden for Broad
4:41pm 61st over: Good resistance this from Australia. This is one of the best parts of Test cricket - a real contest. Clarke and Haddin digging in - England toiling to steal another wicket.
Three men around Haddin's bat, for Swann bowling to him.
4:39pm 60th over: We think it's Graham Onions off the field for the sub, Cockbain. Everyone else is accounted for.
Broad bowling well to Clarke - squaring him up with one ball, then rapping him on the boot with the next.
4:36pm 59th over: Clarke continues to frustrate all England's attempts to get him out - a good contest this.
4:32pm 58th over: MCC Young Cricketer, Ian Cockbain on as a sub fielder - I think for Flintoff - but I'll double check between overs.
Just singles from that over by Broad.
4:29pm 57th over: Clarke cuts that one hard - it looks like four all the way but a diving Anderson on the cover boundary saves that one - good fielding. They run two.
4:24pm 56th over: Andrew Strauss has seen Onions leaking runs without really threatening the batsmen - so Stuart Broad comes on at the Pavilion End.
Interesting field settings for Broad's over - just one slip and a gully in place.
Haddin drives that one for four to end Broad's over.
4:22pm 55th over: Clarke brings up another Australia landmark - 200 runs on the board now (201 in fact) with that four.
4:16pm 54th over: Haddin places that into the gap and the batsmen run three.
Another well placed shot, this time from Clarke, brings two.
More sharp gusts of wind and Haddin's bails are off - dislodged only by the wind sadly (for England fans at least!).
4:14pm 53rd over: Swann, bowling to Clarke - the batsman leaning well forward, bat almost facing the floor as he smothers the spin - good technique from Clarke.
Swann beats Clarke with a change of pace, Clarke gloving that one back into his body.
4:09pm 52nd over: Onions rips in a bouncer at Clarke - who just squats to duck under it quite comfortably.
Haddin opens the face and guides that one from Onions wide of the slips for four.
4:06pm 51st over: Graeme Swann returns at the Nursery End - England will want more wickets from him after his two earlier.
4:01pm 50th over: The 50th over of the innings and Graham Onions will bowl it, continuing from the Pavilion End. A two and then a single for Clarke, the first runs after tea.
3:59pm: The umpires stroll out again - closely followed by the England team.
And here come the batsmen too.
3:42pm: Another great session for England. 102 runs conceded but three more wickets taken.
We're dashing off for a quick cuppa - whilst you wait:
Don't miss...
3:38pm 49th over: This will be the last over before tea. Anderson bowling to Haddin.
Haddin driving but mistimed and miscued - it squirts out to Bopara at point.
That's tea.
Australia 178-5 at tea
3:32pm 48th over: It's Graham Onions coming on at the Pavilion End, to replace Flintoff - completing the double change.
Oh dear, a misfield from Swann makes that single for Clarke into three.
Onions hits Haddin on the pads - the Durham man is vibrating with that appeal! Umpire Koertzen entirely unmoved.
Ravi Bopara, at point, gets the dead-eye from Onions - he shied at the stumps, to be fair he hit - but it was unrequired and the ricochet lets the batsmen run three.
Onions' miserable over is completed as Clarke plays another smooth shot for four. A fifty partnership now between these two.
3:29pm 47th over: If that is the end of Flintoff's spell it will be a double change, as Anderson replaces Swann at the Nursery End.
Haddin, on the front foot and driving, fluently for four. Shot.
3:23pm 46th over: A seventh over in a row for Flintoff - surely a final sling in this stint? He'll bowl to Haddin - the wicket-keeper having to duck under that vicious bouncer.
This could just be Flintoff's last ever Test over at Lord's. Last ball of the over and he's hit Haddin right on the boot! Haddin's skipping and stumbling... but the umpire says "not out" to the appeals.
3:20pm 45th over: Swann to Haddin - a single from the first ball of the over.
A single for Clarke and that's his 50 - from 58 balls. Very well played.
3:15pm 44th over: Short and wide from Flintoff and cut for four by Clarke - great shot. Australia pass 150 and Clarke's nearing 50 himself.
Two more takes him to 49. That one flies to the boundary - four leg byes.
3:12pm 43rd over: Swann to Clarke - three men around the bat: wicket-keeper Prior; Collingwood at slip and Alastair Cook at short leg.
Swann has a huge appeal against Haddin for LBW - all the men around the bat are up, Swann's bouncing, arms above his head... but umpire Doctrove is uninterested.
3:06pm 42nd over: For the record, Australia need 381 more runs to win. A sixth straight over for Flintoff - that was as long as he lasted in his first spell.
A bouncer has Haddin ducking - it dinks him on the helmet, as it did Clarke earlier - Prior takes it and is appealing but umpire Koertzen says no.
Strauss moves the third slip to a leg slip... and Haddin edges! Right through where third slip was... four. Some good luck for Australia at last.
3:03pm 41st over: Clarke ended that previous over with a single, so he'll face Swann first ball of this over too. He gets another single. Then, so does Haddin - he's off the mark.
Three for Clarke takes him into the 40s.
2:58pm 40th over: Clarke is offering almost solo resistance at this stage - he steps to the pitch of that one and slides it wide of the slips for four.
2:54pm 39th over: Four men around the bat again, as Swann bowls to North.
He didn't need one of them! That one shot right through on North, through the gate and clunk - his stumps are broken!
Australia 128-5 - North - b. Swann - 6
Two wickets for two runs in 19 balls for Swann. A huge roar for Swann as he takes his cap from the umpire and trots back to his fielding position.
2:50pm 38th over: Flintoff, bowling to North, has three slips in place.
North's sliced at that one... it's in the air! Pietersen was in place but it was high over him, even leaping full-stretch and it goes for four.
2:46pm 37th over: Swann continues to bowl from the Nursery End.
Four men clustered around Marcus North's off side. A maiden over for Swann.
2:44pm: Drinks - the players take on some liquid.
Oh dear - this won't please you Aussie readers, Gilbert family are you still with us? Word around the Investec Media Centre is, from repeated replays, that Hussey didn't actually nick that one to Collingwood. One of those: "Was the noise the bat on ground; or the bat on ball?" It would appear it was the former.
2:39pm 36th over: More fast, short, hostile stuff from Flintoff. Three slips and two gullies.
2:37pm 35th over: Swann bowling to North - who's still on that big, round zero.
North sets off on a suicide run - he just makes his ground, as does Clarke to Strauss's throw. The non-striker unimpressed with North there - but he is off his duck.
2:32pm 34th over: A big cheer around Lord's - Andrew Flintoff is coming back to bowl at the Pavilion End.
A couple of short ones from Flintoff, one overdone too high - but that one has Clarke ducking but it spears back at him and glances off his helmet. With his gloves high the slips are appealing - Clarke removes his helmet to inspect it, some pantomime for the umpire: slips and batsman all grinning. A maiden for Flintoff.
2:25pm 33rd over: A full toss from Clarke who takes it on the full - drilled away for another boundary.
Clarke almost repeats the stroke but squarer this time - Hussey has to hussle to make the three.
Swann's skipped that one past Hussey who swung and missed, it clips the edge - a very sharp catch by Collingwood - lightening reflexes. Hussey looks up and umpire Koertzen is nodding - he's out.
Australia 120-4 - Hussey - c. Collingwood b. Swann - 27
New batsman Marcus North is on a 'pair' - he got a duck in the first innings - out for nought again would be a pair of noughts.
2:20pm 32nd over: Three slips in place for Stuart Broad, bowling to Michael Hussey.
Another huge gust of winds bluster across Lord's a big puff of dust from the bowler's footmarks at the Nursery End.
Broad over-doing the short stuff again Hussey chops it away for four runs.
2:16pm 31st over: Bowling change - Strauss tosses the spinner, Graeme Swann the ball - he'll bowl from the Nursery End.
A slip and a silly mid-off, right up in Clarke's face for this over.
2:12pm 30th over: A maiden over from Broad slows the Michael Clarke-inspired Australia run-rate.
Ponting plays onto his own stumps to Broad 2:07pm 29th over: I'm not doing this to provoke our Aussie readers, honest... but it is a great photo. Ricky Ponting out, chopping onto his own stumps earlier.
In better news for Australia, Clarke plays a wonderful stroke - a drive all the way for four. Great shot.
Clarke does it again - another drive through the covers - another four - 100 up for Australia.
Goodness me, Clarke's on fire - short and wide again from Anderson and Clarke pouncing - cut through square for another four - 14 runs from the over.
2:03pm 28th over: Gary's email has certainly fired you up - we've had emails shooting in. Thanks for writing everyone.
Your emailsThe Aussie Colwells have written in to say: "Just to let you know we aren’t all bad sports!" - I never doubted it.
Your emails Another family email address, The Gilberts say: "Whilst Australia may not be playing up to their usual standard, when we have to play against the umpires as well it makes a mockery out of the whole game. No-one can get it wrong so often against one side by chance alone.
"Sour grapes, maybe; we like to play it hard but fair. No wonder Test cricket is in decline. They have lost us as supporters, we have had enough. Can’t be bothered to watch anymore."
Oh dear... I hope you'll at least stick with Lords.org for today Gilberts? Opinion divided, certainly.
Do let us know what you think - Live@Lords.org.
1:59pm 27th over: It's starting to drizzle - a brolly or two going up.
As I type that it eases off... brollies down again! Another single for Hussey - Anderson v Clarke now.
Clarke's off the mark, good footwork and a flowing drive for four runs.
1:54pm 26th over: Broad bowling again - the wind's picking up and it's clouding over a little. Ideal for bowling, so long as the rain holds off.
A single for Hussey lets Broad at the new batsman, Clarke. A 92mph bouncer from Broad aimed at Clarke there - who's ducking.
1:50pm 25th over: As Anderson runs in for this over a quick riposte for Gary:
For my two-pence Gary (email below) I think calling the umpires "incompetent and one-sided" is harsh. Despite his let-offs at Lord's Bopara got, arguably, a tough call in Cardiff. I can honestly say I don't think there's a first-class umpire who is one-sided.
They don't get every decision 100% right (who does?) but I don't think they're bias. Why would they be? Rudi Koertzen is a South African and Billy Doctrove is a West Indian.
What do you think? - send us your emails.
Back on the pitch - a good over for Anderson, full and swinging, really concern for the batsmen.
1:44pm 24th over: Stuart Broad will continue from the Pavilion End - Ponting facing.
Ponting is out! He chopped at that one and just dragged it onto his stumps! Huge celebrations for England, Ponting is a real dangerman but he's out.
Australia 78-3 - Ponting - b. Broad - 38
Wow - swing and a bit of seam for Broad - he almost cleans up Clarke first ball! A wicket maiden for Broad.
1:41pm 23rd over: We're underway again - James Anderson returns at the Nursery End.
Good over by Anderson - some movement to worry Ponting and Hussey.
1:37pm: Your emailsThe five minute bell rings again after lunch but already the banter is flying. We've had an Aussie writing in, Gary, who says:
"How does it feel to have a cheat as captain of England?
"Strauss must have known that he didn't make a fair catch. The movement of his hand and fingers in collecting the ball off the grass make this assertion abundantly clear. There is no way he could not have sensed something didn't feel right in taking the ball and appealing for a catch.
"Sadly, only one team is playing the current series within the spirit of the game and as for the umpiring, it is clearly incompetent and one-sided."
Are you going to take that England fans? Our captain, a cheat? Send us your emails
1:08pm: As promised - here's our competition - free to enter and a great prize on offer.
Competition time
Win this ball - worth £15! We've got another 'Grace' cricket ball - named for the the famous WG Grace of course.
They're grade 1, 5½oz balls - top notch stuff and worth £15. You can have one, gratis by entering our competition. Just answer this question:
Who scored the first boundary of the day today?
Send us your answer - by email to Live@Lords.org.
England will be delighted with that opening session. Two wickets down, the lead still 445.
Grab yourself something to eat and come back soon - our daily competition will be up and running soon with another great prize to win.
12:57pm 22nd over: This will probably be the last over before lunch. Broad bowling to Ponting. A couple of singles have the fielders swapping over for the left and right-handed batsmen.
Last ball and Broad's appealing for LBW against Ponting - it was quite high and the umpire says no. That's lunch.
Australia 76-2 at lunch
12:53pm 21st over: Bopara redeems himself for that earlier overthrow - a good diving stop at point prevents that one running for four. Just two singles from the over.
12:49pm 20th over: Andrew Flintoff's back on the field - fielding at second slip for this over by Broad.
A maiden by Broad - lots of stuff for Ponting to leave alone - nothing at the stumps.
12:44pm 19th over: Oh dear, that's poor from Broad. Ponting times it to the boundary, it should have been an easy pick-up for Broad but a misfield and it trickles for four.
Short again from Onions and Ponting hammers that one - it nearly went for six, just short. Four.
Another gifted run - Bopara shies at the stumps quite unnecessarily, they weren't even running. He misses and they run now - a cheap single.
Four more - to Hussey this time, driving down the ground for four. An expensive over for Onions - 13 runs from it.
12:40pm 18th over: Broad continues and drifts that one across Hussey - "ooohs" in the slips.
Another one zipping past the edge! Hussey's struggling here - good bowling by Broad.
And another edge but along the ground and through the slips now - four for Hussey.
12:35pm 17th over: Was that an edge? Onions getting movement away from the batsman - but it was all swing - no bat.
That one's on the pads from Onions and Ponting flicks that away for four - a little too easy for Ponting that one.
12:30pm 16th over: Indeed it is the expected bowling change - Stuart Broad replaces the irreplaceable Andrew Flintoff.
Flintoff's trotting off the field with the physio too - more treatment for the big Lancastrian.
Broad's first ball goes for four - a big pull from Ponting but Alastair Cook on the boundary almost caught that one... risky from the Aussie skipper.
12:27pm 15th over: Onions gets into his second over. Stuart Broad is warming up down on the boundary.
12:22pm 14th over: Flintoff's spell continues...
Ponting puts in a huge stride but offers no stroke - hit on the pads and Flintoff's appealing. It's umpire Koertzen with the slow shake of the head this time.
Oh dear - Flintoff's clearly limping now. That sore knee must be stiffening up now. England's physio is 'in the blocks' on the Pavilion steps.
12:17pm 13th over: It will be the refreshed Onions coming on to replace Anderson at the Nursery End. Will it be a double change? Broad on for Flintoff next over? Let's wait and see...
Onions slaps Hussey on the pads - they're appealing! But umpire Doctrove gives a short shake of the head. Hussey off the mark from the next ball - two.
12:14pm: That's drinks.
Australia 37-2 at drinks
Big call for Strauss - with Flintoff in this form, how long does he keep him on? His injury concerns are infamous.
Strauss, Onions and Collingwood all trot off the field in this break - Andrew Flintoff 'holding court' with the players that remained on the field. He really will be sorely missed by England. This is his last ever Lord's Test.
12:08pm 12th over: Flintoff to Ponting for this over now. You have the feeling Ponting will be unhappy again after this match. Not only with his underperforming team but his own dismissal in the first innings was controversial - this morning, Katich, out to a no ball; then that controversial 'catch' by Strauss to dismiss Hughes.
Great ball from Flintoff - he's really fired up. Hussey unsettled by that - more smirking chat from Flintoff to the batsman. Last ball of the over - Hussey's playing and missing again! Flintoff gives him the glare... then breaks into a wry grin.
12:04pm 11th over: Anderson bowling his sixth consecutive over. A leg bye adds one to the score.
11:56am 10th over: Edged! Gone! Flintoff snorted that one down at Hughes and Strauss takes the catch in the slips... or did he? Hughes stands there - Ponting comes down for a chat.
The umpire's finger was up but Ponting's made Hughes linger.
Australia 34-2 - Hughes - c. Strauss b. Flintoff - 17
Hughes walks off but TV replays... oh dear. That doesn't look good. Strauss closed his fingers around it but it looks very much like it did hit the turf. The on-field umpire's had a chat but didn't refer that to the TV umpire - had they, you wonder if Hughes would have been given out.
That's another wicket maiden for Flintoff. It's a tough call - that did look very close. You'd have to give the benefit of the doubt to Strauss - he's not the type to claim catches he knows he's 'grassed'.
11:53am 9th over: First ball of Anderson's over - an edge from Hughes! Dropped. Oh, that was a tough, low chance to Flintoff but put down. The batsmen scamper one.
Ponting leaps on the chance, short from Anderson there and clubbed away for four. That will make him feel better.
11:48am 8th over: Ponting having another good look at his right hand before this Flintoff over. Hughes facing.
Two slips, two gullies a leg-slip/backward short leg and a short leg.
11:43am 7th over: Ponting's first four from the first ball of this over - a big step and great drive to the long off boundary. Four.
Another one on the glove for Ponting - who's shaking that hand and taking off his glove, ouch. That one really reared up off the pitch. Ponting taking a moment to examine his right hand, that one hurt.
A single gets Ponting off the strike - a leg slip/backward short leg moves in for Hughes. That England plan in evidence again.
11:39am 6th over: Flintoff's first ball of this over has Ponting in trouble - hitting him on the pads but too high to be 'interesting'.
Ponting rapped on the glove this time but he scampers a run to get off the mark. Alastair Cook moves in to field at short-leg, with Hughes on strike.
11:34am 5th over: Anderson trying to tempt Hughes down the leg side again - as he did in the first innings. Anderson waving for Graham Onions to move around towards square at the long leg boundary.
Groans around the Investec Media Centre from our Aussie contingent - Sky TV replays would seem to suggest Flintoff's wicket-taking delivery was a no-ball. He overstepped by the tiniest of fractions.
11:28am 4th over: A huge cordon for Katich, facing Flintoff - a myriad of slips and gullies - and he's gone first ball!
England 17-1 - Katich - c. Pietersen b. Flintoff - 6
Ponting comes out to bat - Flintoff v Ponting - this should be good! Ponting sees the over out - a great over from 'Freddie' - a wicket maiden.
11:24am 3rd over: Katich's first boundary - first ball of this Anderson over. Lovely cut.
Short again from Anderson but wide too and Katich will hit those to the boundary all day long.
11:18am 2nd over: Andrew Flintoff will open the bowling from the Pavilion End - Simon Katich facing. Three slips and two gullies - England have a clear plan here.
First ball is a no ball and a single. More plans for Hughes facing Flintoff - three slips, a gully, a backward short leg and a short leg for the left-hander.
Flintoff digging it in short to Hughes. Last ball of the over is a real snorter! Hughes ducks and Flintoff and Hughes have a long 'chat'. Firebrand stuff.
11:14am 1st over: No great surprise that James Anderson (four first innings wickets) is warming up at the Nursery End. Hughes facing - he got just four in the first innings - before Anderson had him caught behind, flicking down the leg side.
A nerve-jangling wait for Hughes, as umpires Koertzen and Doctrove have a very long chat at square leg.
And we're underway - two off the glove for Hughes from the first ball.
Anderson drifts wide with the last ball of the over and Hughes punches that away for four.
11:12am: The England players are swarming in the famous Long Room - they have to wait for the umpires but they're ultra keen to get out there. Tails up they're already buzzing to get at the Australians. Good stuff.
Hughes and Katich stroll out too.
11:10am: Ding-ding-ding! There's the five minute bell - Sam Loxton ringing it this morning. He's looking remarkably well for his 88 years.
11:06am: MCC Head of Cricket John Stephenson is still on the outfield, leaning on his Club-colours umbrella, talking to the groundstaff. Whisper it but... one of their number, Brad Markwell is an Aussie! He's not the only one either!
Though 522 to win seems distant: 261 runs per day for the next two days is do-able. The always confident Aussies will fancy their chances - ideal for England really. They want the Aussies playing attacking strokes, so they can pick-up these wickets.
11am: With 15 minutes until our slightly delayed start we've got a few bits for you to read and enjoy whilst you wait:
Don't miss...
10:56am: We tipped it yesterday in our Ashes day 3: Analysis - England call it a day with a lead of 521 on the board. You have the feeling it was touch and go - had it been sunny and dry today you fancy England may have batted on for a few more runs.
With conditions favouring bowling today, England have opted to unleash Anderson, Onions, Broad and Flintoff.
10:54am: There it is, official word in: England have declared.
10:52am: Oooh, rumours flying around. With the cloud-cover around Lord's we're hearing word that England have declared. We'll start with Australia batting, chasing 521.
No official word - but when we hear it, you'll read it.
10:51am: As the Aussies have their familiy photo, the five minute bell is ready to be rung: Australia Test great Sam Loxton will do the honours today.
10:50am: Here come the boys in Baggy Green - there are benches being lined-up at the Nursery End and they're coming to pose for an official team photo.
10:46am: Covers off again... let's hope this dry spell lasts for a bit this time!
The umpire's have had a look and we're set for a slightly delayed start - 11:15am.
10:40am: It's a more settled shower this time, the rain still coming down.
Fear not though - the Lord's outfield is famously fast-draining. If the rain holds off the MCC groundstaff will have this pitch playable before you can say Mudhsuden Singh Panesar.
10:29am: It's Karate Kid covers time : Covers on, covers off, covers on, covers off.
This could prove to be a frustrating day. Thirty minutes before the start and the covers are on again.
10:20am: More bowling practice now for England. Only one Aussie I can see on the outfield: Ben Hilfenhaus, also turning his arm over.
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10:07am: Is the rain a 'he' I'm not so sure now... he/she or it has gone, the sun is out again.
England playing football in front of the Tavern Stand - goalie duties for the MCC Young Cricketers.
9:54am: Quoting an Australian colleague: "Aussie man-of-the-match? The rain..." But 'he' may have just been 'dropped' - the rain's already stopped. England players on the outfield warming up - Graeme Swann turning his arm over.
Judging by Nathan Hauritz's performance yesterday (three wickets) Swann could be a key player for England.
9:49am: Uh-oh... a sudden downpour erupts. The Lord's groundstaff leap into action and the Australia players (Siddle and Lee) previously cantering across the outfield to the nets break into a jog to beat the rain.
It lashed down for about a minute but already it's slackening off...
9:42am: An hour and twenty minutes to go. England coach Andy Flower is on the outfield now, sizing things up for his tactical decisions no doubt.
All the talk again this morning is of Strauss/Flower decisions. They opted not to enforce the follow-on yesterday - how long, if at all, will they bat today? How much time is "enough" to get 10 Aussie wickets?
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9:12am: Good morning again Ashes fans. Thanks for joining us on Lords.org for the latest news of this thrilling Ashes Test Match at Lord's.
Though, officially, we don't start our live coverage until 10am (one hour before the first ball) we know you're all as hungry for Ashes news as we are.
We've got the latest on the weather for you - The Met Office has us down for a few showers today I'm afraid - but at the moment it's glorious sunshine in NW8 - three of Mick Hunt's groundstaff whizzing up and down the outfield with ride-on mowers, ensuring (as ever) that Lord's looks her best.
The big boss - MCC Secretary and Chief Executive Keith Bradshaw - is on the outfield too, nothing is left to chance for an Ashes Test at Lord's.
