MARTYN PUSHES FOR TEST PLACE AS AUSTRALIA BAT ON AGAINST MCC

Having wrapped up the MCC innings in little more than an hour's play in the morning, Waugh declined to enforce the follow-on, opting instead to give his top order batsmen another knock in the middle.

It was a decision that paid mixed dividends, as Hayden, Slater and Langer were unable to take advantage of one of the relatively few opportunities for match practise prior to the First Test at Edgbaston next Thursday. Australia have only a three day game against Essex to come before the Test, and with Queensland policeman Joe Dawes disrupting his compatriot's first innings plans, they will have been keen to spend as long as possible in the middle today.

Hayden was the first to go however, continuing his disappointing one-day form (he scored eight in three innings in the NatWest Series), carving Willoughby to point. Langer, who was bowled first ball by Dawes off an inside edge for 0 to go with his first innings four, followed him back to the pavilion before lunch. Slater joined them back in the dressing room shortly after the interval, as he pulled Azhar Mahmood in the air to square leg, adding only 17 to his first innings seven.

Their captain, however, looked to be in imperious form as he moved to the 64th first-class century of his career. Waugh, with 17 fours and two successive sixes off Asif Mujtaba to bring up his hundred, helped add 158 for the fourth wicket with Damien Martyn, who struck a calm 80.

Martyn and Katich, who was demoted down the order today in order to grant others more chance of a bat in the middle, have down their causes for Test inclusion no harm at all. With Ponting and Mark Waugh still to come back into the team, Australia's middle order looks particularly strong. There may be some anxiety about the performance of the top three however, and a possibility that Katich will make his Test debut at Edgbaston.

Earlier, MCC were indebted to New Zealand opening batsmen Mark Richardson who carried his bat for 64 not out and averted a complete rout. Richardson, who is currently playing for Datchet in the Thames Valley League and made a century in his last Test for New Zealand against Pakistan, brought up his 50 with his ninth boundary, a flowing drive back past the bowler, Fleming. He received scant support though as MCC, resuming on 82 for six, never threatened to mount a serious challenge to Australia.

Fleming had a big appeal turned down from the first ball of the morning against former Glamorgan 'keeper, Colin Metson, but he could not take advantage of the reprieve and was soon trapped lbw by Gillespie, beaten for pace.

Deon Kruis was struck twice on the body during his stay at the crease, and could contribute only two in his 29-minute stay before Warne took the sixth lbw dismissal of the innings.

Willoughby was the last to go, bowled to become Miller's fourth wicket, leaving Richardson stranded, and with the third highest score of the innings being just four.

It was a ruthlessly efficient performance from the Australian seamers, and with Lee and McGrath to return they provided plenty of food for thought for England as they cut down a side boasting seven players who have played international cricket.

WAUGH SHOWS HIS CLASS WITH CENTURY AGAINST MCC

Waugh, with 16 fours and two successive sixes steered his team to a lead of 472 after the top order had failed to take advantage of the decision not to enforce the follow-on.

Slater was the only batsman to go in the afternoon session, as he pulled Azhar Mahmood in the air to square leg, adding only 17 to his first innings seven. Although Australia will have plenty of positive points to take from this game, there may be some concern that three of the top order - Slater, Hayden and Langer in particular - have failed to take advantage of the limited opportunity for practise prior to the First Test starting next Thursday.

Damien Martyn took his opportunity to argue for a Test place however, with a fine 61 not out to partner his captain.

MCC GRATEFUL FOR RICHARDSON'S CONTRIBUTION

Earlier, MCC were indebted to New Zealand opening batsmen Mark Richardson who carried his bat for 64 not out and averted a complete rout. Richardson, who is currently playing for Datchet in the Thames Valley League and made a century in his last Test for New Zealand against Pakistan, brought up his 50 with his ninth boundary, a flowing drive back past the bowler, Fleming. He received scant support though as MCC, resuming on 82 for six, never threatened to mount a serious challenge to Australia.

Fleming had a big appeal turned down from the first ball of the morning against former Glamorgan 'keeper, Colin Metson, but he could not take advantage of the reprieve and was soon trapped lbw by Gillespie, beaten for pace.

Deon Kruis was struck twice on the body during his stay at the crease, and could contribute only two in his 29-minute stay before Warne took the sixth lbw dismissal of the innings.

Willoughby was the last to go, bowled to become Miller's fourth wicket, leaving Richardson stranded, and with the third highest score of the innings being four.

Steve Waugh declined to enforce the follow-on however, opting instead for batting practise for his top order.

In the first innings the Queensland policeman Joe Dawes took the first four wickets in quick time. Waugh will have been anxious to allow as much time as possible for his batsmen to benefit from the relatively short amount of match practise available before the First Test at Edgbaston.

So, there may be some concern at his side's pre-lunch wobble, when they lost Hayden and Langer in quick succession; Hayden, carving Willoughby to point and Langer, bowled first ball by Dawes off an inside edge.

Justin Langer in particular may come under pressure from Simon Katich in the race for a Test place, having scored just four in two innings here.

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Date-stamped : 27 Jun2001 - 18:28