Australia loses quick wickets in chase

England century-maker Andrew Strauss is bowled by Ben Hilfenhaus in the first over of the second day of the Test at Lord's yesterday.

RICKY Ponting was the victim of an umpiring controversy that marred the frenetic second morning of the Ashes Test at Lord's.

England paceman Jimmy Anderson frustrated Australia with the bat before rocking the top order with the ball, grabbing two big wickets in the first seven overs of Australia's innings. None was bigger than the scalp of the Australian captain, who was given out caught at first slip off his pads by umpire Rudi Koertzen for two.

Aussies in trouble at Lord's

Australia collapse in their first innings to give England the whip hand at Lord's

It was a dreadful decision, and one that could have been overturned if the umpire referral system had been in place for the Ashes. But the ICC decided not to introduce the system until October. The South African umpire did call on the third umpire to determine whether the ball had carried to Andrew Strauss but the third official was powerless to overturn Koertzen's incorrect verdict that Ponting had edged the ball with his bat.

Ponting, coming off 150 in Cardiff, looked extremely unimpressed as he trudged back towards the Long Room with his team in deep trouble at 2-10.

Simon Katich (25 not out) and Mike Hussey (14 not out) dug in during the rain-affected second session, taking the Australians to 2-49 before bad weather again forced the players from the ground.

Koertzen's decision could yet change the course of the Ashes. Anderson had already removed opening prodigy Phillip Hughes, who attempted an ill-advised pull shot and feathered the ball to wicketkeeper Matt Prior with his glove.

There was plenty of drama even before the controversial exit of Ponting.

Ben Hilfenhaus continued the Australian bowlers' fightback by removing Strauss, shouldering arms to the second ball of the day, before he had added to his overnight score of 161. Hilfenhaus, swinging the ball in heavy conditions, collected his best ever Test figures of 4-104 to help Australia dismiss England for 425.

However, the Australians were frustrated by a staunch last wicket partnership between Anderson and Graham Onions against the undermanned touring team's attack. Mitchell Johnson again lost direction and composure to finish with 3-132 and it was little consolation when he finished off the innings with Anderson's wicket after bleeding 24 boundaries in his 21.4 overs.

Ponting's options were limited with Nathan Hauritz and Peter Siddle off the field with a dislocated finger and stomach illness, respectively.

Siddle had the stubborn Graeme Swann caught by Ponting at second slip before he was forced from the field while Hilfenhaus knocked over the stumps of Stuart Broad.

Strauss batted the whole first day and struck some fierce blows, none moreso than the cracking drive that dislocated Hauritz's spinning finger before rising to his third century against Australia.

"It's a special moment any time you get an Ashes hundred and when it's at the home of cricket it's even more special. It was a good day for England, it was a better day for me personally," said Strauss, who also notched up 5000 Test runs.

"When you look at Ricky Ponting scoring 11,000 (runs), 5000 is like you're just out of nappies, really. But I'm pretty happy to have got another Test hundred, each time you get one you're helping your side get into a strong position in the game."