Hussey, Haddin record stand has Australia on top
Mike Hussey and Brad Haddin combined to beat a record set in the Don Bradman era to guide Australia into a dominant 436-5 at tea on Saturday on the third day of the first Ashes test against England.
Hussey was unbeaten on 176 at the interval, six shy of his highest test score of 182 against Bangladesh in 2006. Haddin had 134 and Australia had a 176-run first-innings lead. Their unbeaten stand of 293 surpassed the record partnership at Brisbane's Gabba ground, beating Sir Donald Bradman and Lindsay Hassett's mark of 276 set 64 years ago.
Haddin brought up his hundred in spectacular style, stepping down the pitch to loft spinner Graeme Swann for six over long on. Hussey comfortably moved past 150.
England's tired seam bowlers lost their rhythm between lunch and tea and were punished by both batsmen who added 109 runs in the session, aided by some ragged fielding.
Haddin, who was dropped by Alastair Cook on 63, gave an identical chance to the usually reliable James Anderson off Stuart Broad on 113. Anderson, running backwards at mid on, grassed the ball.
Earlier in the day, Hussey was adjudged lbw to Anderson by umpire Aleem Dar but the batsman immediately challenged the decision and replays showed the ball pitched just outside leg stump.
He was again trapped in front of the stumps to the luckless Anderson but England's appeals were rebuffed. Replays showed the ball would have hit middle and leg but England had used up its two video referrals already so could not appeal the verdict.
Haddin wrested the momentum back in Australia's favour hitting seven fours towards the end of the morning session but received a let off on 63 when Cook dropped him off Collingwood.
Hussey survived some nervous moments to reach his century before lunch with a beautiful off drive for four off Broad. England was all out for 260 in its first innings.
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