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Solid start by Australia

— PHOTO: REUTERS

FIRST STRIKE: Graeme Swann celebrates with Matt Prior after trapping Australian opener Simon Katich lbw on Thursday.

BIRMINGHAM: Australia, after winning the toss, was 126 for one against England at stumps on the first day of the third Ashes Test here at Edgbaston on Thursday.

Shane Watson was batting on 62, while captain Ricky Ponting remained unbeaten on 17 after rain meant only one session of play was possible on the opening day. Simon Katich was the lone batsman dismissed, falling to off-spinner Graeme Swann for 46. Katich and Watson added 85 for the first wicket.

Play started at 16 GMT after a severe delay caused by torrential rain.

Manou replaces Haddin

Australia, 1-0 down in the series, made two changes, all-rounder Watson replacing opening batsman Phillip Hughes and Graham Manou coming in at the last minute for injured wicketkeeper Brad Haddin.

Haddin was named in the team by Ponting at the toss but he suffered a suspected fractured finger in practice and Australia asked England for permission to replace him with Manou, who makes his Test debut. Haddin was taken to hospital for X-rays. England made one change to the team that won the second Test by 115 runs —its first Ashes victory at Lord’s in 75 years.

Ian Bell, returning to England duty, replaced Kevin Pietersen after the South Africa- born batsman was ruled out of the remainder of the Ashes. — Agencies

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