Johnson strikes as England Lions start 2nd innings

2009-07-04 17:26:01 -

WORCESTER, England (AP) - Mitchell Johnson claimed two wickets as the England Lions reached 105 for three at tea on Saturday, the fourth and final day of Australia's last match before the start of the Ashes series next week.
The left-arm paceman, who claimed one for 118 from 26 overs in the first innings, removed openers Stephen Moore (16) and Joe Denly (36) as the Lions, set 445 for an impossible win, attempted to stave off defeat on a pitch that was described on Friday as «dead» by Lions bowler Steve Harmison.
Lions skipper Ian Bell fell to the last ball before tea, as he turned a delivery that spun from Nathan Hauritz to short leg, where Simon Katich took a catch diving to his right.
Bell made 20 from 63 balls. Hauritz is seeking the final bowling place for the first Test in Cardiff on Wednesday.
Australia, which had made 358 in its first innings before dismissing the Lions for 352, declared at lunch on 438 for four with Marcus North 191 not out. Mike Hussey retired hurt on 62 because of an ankle injury that was described by a team spokesman as being non-serious.
Moore fell in the fifth over as he edged Johnson to Ricky Ponting at second slip, following on from his 120 on his home ground in the first innings.
Kent player Denly again impressed after his 66 on Thursday, by striking an enterprising 36 from 42 deliveries, including six boundaries. He departed when Johnson got the ball move off the seam to have him caught behind after attacking him from around the wicket.
Denly had despatched the previous ball to the cover boundary for four, off the back foot, following his front foot cover drive for four two overs prior. His scores in the match may have boosted his chances of a Test debut at some point during the five Ashes tests.
Johnson had bowling figures of two for 48 from nine overs at tea, while Lions batsman Vikram Solanki was on 26.