Aussies enjoy batting work out

The West Australian June 27, 2009, 12:15 pm

Phillip Hughes, Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke all cashed in as Australia's batsmen enjoyed a valuable workout in their tour clash against Sussex in Hove.

Hughes lost his middle peg for the second time in the match to South African seamer Pepler Sandri but had knocked up 78 by the time of his removal to another ambitious shot.

Ponting, who also missed out in the first innings, punched out a breezy 71 off 76 balls before Michael Clarke (75no) rounded out the productive day.

The touring side's only batting concern appears to be Marcus North, who followed up his one in the first dig with a painstaking 11 in 56 minutes.

On another day of glorious sunshine, North took 22 balls to creep off the mark and 45 balls before hitting his first boundary.

He was trapped in front by spinner Ollie Rayner with the left-hander standing his ground for a moment, clearly not impressed with the decision.

But he should be handed another couple of bats in next week's tour match in Worcester before the opening Ashes Test in Cardiff starts on Wednesday week.

After resuming at 0-18, Australia closed their innings at 7(dec)-379) at stumps to set Sussex 418 for victory on the final day on Saturday.

Hughes continued his liking for English conditions on the back of his short but successful reconnaissance mission to the mother country at Middlesex.

Just like in his debut Test in Johannesburg, Hughes followed up a disappointing departure in the first innings with a much better effort in the second dig.

Hughes and Simon Katich (40) earlier continued working on their fledgling opening partnership by putting on 93 for the first wicket before Katich's attempted flick off seamer Robin Martin-Jenkins's bowling went wrong.

Hughes soon afterwards cut Martin-Jenkins for four to reach his half century and after lunch was dropped on 73 before falling five runs later.

Ponting kept the scoreboard ticking over before paceman James Kirtley captured his wicket and Mike Hussey (40) spent two hours at the crease trying to get his game in order before Cardiff.

Young legspinner Will Beer captured the wickets of Brad Haddin (6) and Brett Lee (33) in the final session.

Hughes said it had been a positive day for Australia and that he was determined to stick to his unique style of batting.

"Something I addressed today was to just get out there and play my way and just play how I have been playing and it was good to do that," he said.

He expected experienced county operator North to find his touch before Sophia Gardens.

"That is just how it panned out in this game and there is still another practice game," Hughes said.

"He will be right, he will be great."

HOVE AAP

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