With rain delays late on day three and bad weather forecast for day four, a result in the first Ashes test is looking less and less likely. Rain over Cardiff saw players leave the field for around two hours, before play was resumed under lights. It didn’t last long however, as showers set in again ending the days play.

Australia commenced the day in a very strong position at 1 for 249 with Simon Katich and Ricky Ponting both scoring centuries late on day two. The pair added a further 50 runs to the over night total before James Anderson struck with the second new ball to dismiss Katich leg before wicket for 122. Anderson continued to look dangerous swinging the ball both ways and he claimed his second wicket with a full delivery which caught the edge of Hussey’s bat. Keeper Matthew Prior took a sharp, low catch as Hussey became just the second player dismissed for single figures so far in the match.

Ponting continued to look comfortable despite being beaten a few times by swinging deliveries from Anderson and Flintoff, before getting a top edge for six to put him close to 150. The skipper then brought up the milestone in a simliar fashion to his century with a little push into the covers. Just a few balls later he chopped one one from Panesar, giving the off spinner his first wicket for the match.

Michael Clarke and Marcus North then settled in, building a solid partnership, each picking up half centuries before rain halted play. After the two hour delay the players took to the field under lights as play was extended to 7.30 local time. The gloomy weather had the umpires chatting a lot between overs, but the mood brightened for the Poms when a short ball from Stuart Broad caught the gloves of Michael Clarke, dismissing him for 83. An over or two later the rain began to fall once again ending the days play.

At stumps on day three Australia lead by 44 runs with five wickets in hand.

England - All Out for 435
Kevin Peitersen - 69
Paul Collingwood - 64
Matthew Prior - 56
Mitchell Johnson - 3/87 (22)
Nathan Hauritz - 3/95 (23.5)

Australia - 5 for 479
Ricky Ponting - 150
Simon Katich - 122
Michael Clarke - 83
Marcus North - 54*
James Anderson - 2/80 (24)