Warne's genius just holds sway in the sun

Cricket Ashes series, fifth TestThis series has seen no respite. It is hammer and tongs and both teams were at it again yesterday, first England in an ebullient first hour or so, then Australia, hauled by the scruff back into the game by the willpower of Shane Warne. Next Andrew Flintoff joined Andrew Strauss, counter-punching with a century partnership, before more Australian wickets as the second new ball approached.

No one, of the 23,000 shoehorned into The Oval or of those hanging from the windows that overlook the ground and provide the semblance of a view, could afford to turn the head for a moment.

In the end it was Warne's genius that held sway and gave Australia the advantage on another pulsating, sunlit day. By the close, two overs early, England had reached 319 for seven, better than it might have been with Michael Vaughan, Ian Bell and Kevin Pietersen each dismissed cheaply (and in the case of Vaughan and Pietersen, carelessly) after an opening stand of 82 at almost five runs per over.

But it is not a sufficiently strong position to justify contentment after Vaughan had won the toss.

Much will depend this morning on Geraint Jones, who has 21, and Ashley Giles, with the second new ball just two overs old. Then it will be down to England's own new-ball cutting edge.

Warne's industry extended to 34 overs, his five wickets costing 118. He now has 33 in the series and without him Australia look threadbare.

Strauss's wicket, with the new ball imminent, was massive, timed to psychological perfection by Warne almost as if pre-ordained. The opener had played immaculately for his seventh Test century and second of the series: composed, chanceless for almost six diligent hours and precisely the sort of innings required once England, half an hour into the afternoon session, had found themselves four wickets down for 131 and being mugged by Warne on a belting pitch that demanded runs.

There comes a time late in the day, however, when the physical demands of batting impinge on the mental ones. Concentration can waver for a fraction with the sanctuary of the close and the chance of the respite it brings as seductive as the Lorelei on the rocks. Already Strauss had endured a couple of flirty moments outside off-stump as he drove airily at the pace at the other end and chided himself gently for doing so.

Warne can spot a weakness and exploit it like no other, though. Men hovered around the bat, none more obvious to the batsman than Simon Katich perched helmeted at silly mid-off. The ball, delivered from over the wicket, was flatter, the grunt just a fraction louder as the effort went in. Strauss, who has played Warne with increasing confidence as the summer has worn on, stretched forward but the ball beat the inside edge, ballooned back down the pitch towards the bowler, catching the edge on the way. Katich's gleeful dive and left-handed catch saw Strauss turn on his heels and make his tired way back to the dressingroom.

Yet again Warne had performed for Australia like the champion cricketer he is, for Strauss was providing the bedrock for the sort of total that England will require if they are to make the opposition force the pace in pursuit of the win necessary to square the series and retain the Ashes.

He alone has risen to the occasion time after time this series, not just with the ball but with the bat too.

The wicket of Strauss was his fifth of the innings, the 35th time he has achieved that in Tests and the ninth against England.

Between times it was he, a solitary slip, who stooped low to catch Flintoff for 72 from the bowling of Glenn McGrath to end a fifth-wicket stand of 143.

Australia's only other successful bowler was the slingy paceman Shaun Tait, whose yorker, delivered with the merest hint of reverse swing, hit Paul Collingwood full on his left toe. Rudi Koertzen deemed it to have struck the batsman in line with the stumps: the umpire's judgment had let him down.

England First Innings

M Trescothick c Hayden b Warne 43

J Strauss c Katich b Warne 129

M Vaughan c Clarke b Warne 11

I Bell lbw b Warne 0

K Pietersen b Warne 14

A Flintoff c Warne b McGrath 72

P Collingwood lbw b Tait 7

G Jones not out 21

A Giles not out 5

Extras b4 lb6 nb7 pens 0 17

Total 7 wkts (88 overs) ... 319

Fall: 1-82, 2-102, 3-104, 4-131, 5-274, 6-289, 7-297

To Bat: M Hoggard, S Harmison.

Bowling: McGrath 19-5-48-1; Lee 17-3-68-0; Tait 15-1-61-1; Warne 34-4-118-5; Katich 3-0-14-0.