The Ashes: Michael Clarke's century lifts Australia at Old Trafford
Australia skipper notched up his 24th century and his partner Steve Smith scored his 5th half-century to take Australia past 300 with seven wickets in hand.
Michael Clarke dragged Australia back into the Ashes series by hitting his 24th Test century against a lackluster England on Thursday, taking the spotlight away from more umpiring controversy on the opening day of the third Test. (Scorecard)
The captain became the first Australian to make three figures this series as he reached stumps on 125 not out, with the tourists in command on 303-3 as they look for a victory to stay alive in the Ashes. (Highlights)
On a hot and humid day at Old Trafford, Australia's batsmen finally found some form with opener Chris Rogers hitting a Test-best 84 and Steve Smith adding 70 in an unbeaten 174-run stand for the fourth wicket with Clarke.
That helped them overcome the dubious dismissal of Usman Khawaja, who was given out caught behind off Graeme Swann for one, despite replay technology showing the batsman hadn't touched the ball. Third umpire Kumar Dharmasena upheld the on-field umpire's decision to the amazement of most in the ground as well as Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, who tweeted: "That was one of the worst cricket umpiring decisions I have ever seen."
Swann found some turn at a ground widely seen as a spinner's paradise - Shane Warne produced the so-called "Ball of the Century" here 20 years ago - to grab two wickets but England's attack toiled, with Stuart Broad limping off for a spell midway through the final session.
England is 2-0 ahead in the five-match series and need a draw or victory to keep hold of the urn.
That might not be so straightforward on this evidence.
Clarke has been the captain of a sinking ship this summer and his own form has dipped as a result, making just 102 runs in his four previous innings this series.
As Australia's one world-class batsman, the team depends heavily on Clarke and he delivered under huge pressure. After reaching his hundred with a scampered single, he held his bat aloft, wiped the sweat off his brow and then kissed the badge on his helmet.
Australia's batting has been far too open and expansive this series - the team hadn't reached 300 before today - but the perfomance was noticeably more patient here after winning the toss. Clarke, in particular, picked his moments to pounce, with a lofted uppercut for four off Broad when 79 and then a straight drive down in the 90s being his highlights.
His knock was all the more impressive as he had come into the middle with Australia on 82-2 and its fast start in danger of being wasted, with Shane Watson (19) edging Tim Bresnan to Alastair Cook at first slip and then Khawaja becoming the laTest batsman to be left aggrieved by DRS.
HotSpot didn't pick up an edge while the sound that umpire Tony Hill heard appeared to be Khawaja's bat making contact with his pad before the ball whizzed past.
Hill's performance was further blotted later when he failed to give a plum lbw against Smith off Broad. Replays showed the ball would have hit middle stump, but England had already used up its two reviews.
The 35-year-old Rogers shared a 76-run opening partnership with Watson and splayed England's pace attack to all corners of Old Trafford, with five fours in the two overs after the drinks break, bringing up his fifty off just 49 balls.
He started getting twitchy as he entered his 80s, playing and missing twice. He then became irritated by movement in his eyeline in the pavilion and Swann seized his chance, claiming his second wicket with the very next ball.
Smith by contrast grew into his innings, hitting seven fours and looking just as well set as Clarke by the time stumps was called.
With Clarke having a penchant for going on to make big scores - he had four double centuries last year alone - Australia's bowling attack, which features recalled pair Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Starc, should have some much-needed leeway when England come into bat.
Australia also has David Warner to come, after the powerful batsman was brought back into the team after serving a ban for punching England's Joe Root in a late-night bar-room incident in June following a Champions Trophy match.