Aussies on top, as rain plays spoilsport !!!

CARDIFF, 1st Test, Day 4

Fourth day started with Australia in command and it ended with only two possibilities a draw and an Aussie win, the latter looks more likely provided the rain gods stay away. North and Haddin were cautious early on, but with rather lacklustre bowling performance by England, they soon got on to their strides and added 200 runs before being separated. In the process both batsmen reached their centuries. If it was the silken touch of Haddin, equally classy were powerfull backfoot drives by North. Norht was the first to reach the 100 mark, he took 206 deliveries, while Haddin needed 138 deliveries, and 48 to go from 50 to 100. After lunch both batsmen virtually decimated the English attack adding 97 runs of just 15 overs. With the threat of rain around Ponting declared the innings with the scoreboard reading 674 for 6.
England started their batting in match-saving mode, were in trouble straight away with Hilfenhaus and Johnson dismissing Cook and Bopara respectively inside the first 6 overs. However rain played spoilsport, much to the respite of England. With no further play possible, England were still 219 runs behind with 8 wickets in hand. Aussies must be sensing victory provided the rain stay away.

Crunching Numbers :
1. 674 Australia's total, which is their sixth-highest in all Tests, and their fourth-highest against England.
2. 5 The number of bowlers who conceded more than 100 runs in the innings. It's only the second such instance for England - the first was against West Indies at Lord's in 1973.
3. 200 The partnership between Marcus North and Brad Haddin, which is the fifth-highest for the sixth wicket for Australia against England, and their highest in England.
4. It was the 2nd century for both Haddin and North in test cricket in their 16th and 3rd test respectively.