Day 1: Report

Australian seamer Paul Reiffel ruined an England revival led by new captain Mike Atherton on the first day of the fifth Test on Thursday. The 27-year-old Victorian grabbed two wickets in eight balls as England slipped from 156 for three to 160 for six. They eventually recovered slightly to 194 for six at tea, but the tourists, who have already wrapped up the six-match series, were still in control.

They had the disappointment of seeing Allan Border lose the toss on a pitch that is expected to take increasing spin as the match goes on. However, Australia did not have to wait long before removing Graham Gooch, back in his old position of opener after resigning the captaincy. The Essex veteran lasted only 20 balls before edging Reiffel to Mark Taylor to first slip with just eight runs to his name. Robin Smith put on 54 with Atherton, but at 71 was bowled for 21 by a ball from Mark Waugh that cut back a long way off the seam. Five runs later Matthew Maynard was caught off pad and glove by Steve Waugh for nought off Tim May in his first Test innings for five years. Alec Stewart, rival last week for the England captaincy with Atherton, then joined the new skipper in a stirring fightback which produced 80 runs for the fourth wicket.

However, after striking a spirited 45 from 82 deliveries, Stewart miscued a return catch to leg-spinner Shane Warne. Ten minutes earlier Stewart had smashed successive deliveries from Warne for six and four. Then Reiffel nipped in with his rapid double, bowling Atherton for 72 with a delivery that kept low and Nasser Hussain for three with a superb leg-cutter. Atherton had batted for three-and-aquarter hours, facing 157 balls and hitting nine fours in an excellent innings. Graham Thorpe and the recalled John Emburey prevented any further England wickets before tea with a lively unbroken stand of 34. Thorpe was 26 at the break and Emburey seven.

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Day 2 Report

Mark Waugh masterminded an Australian recovery in the fifth Test here on Friday after most of their top order had fallen victim to the England spinners. He stroked an elegant unbeaten 84 to lead the tourists, who have already secured the Ashes and the series, from 80 for four to 153 without further loss in the company of twin Steve by tea, 123 behind England's first innings.

That had closed within five balls of the start of the second day, seamer Paul Reiffel having Mark Ilott caught at the wicket to finish with a Test-best six for 71, also the best figures by an Australian in Tests at Edgbaston. By lunch, though, England off-spinners Peter Such and John Emburey had put their side in control on a dry, cracked pitch offering extravagant turn.

Such made the initial breakthrough, having opener Michael Slater caught off bat and pad by Robin Smith at short leg for 22 at 34. Five runs later Emburey dismissed David Boon, century-maker in each of the last three Tests, for a 13-ball duck when the Tasmanian went right back on to his stumps and was lbw to another ball that spun sharply.

The wickets of Mark Taylor and Allan Border in quick succession after lunch tightened England's grip, although opener Taylor contributed to his own downfall after struggling for just over two hours for 19. Chancing a second run to Matthew Maynard's strong arm from deep fine leg, he was run out by a good six inches, although umpire David Shepherd asked for television replay confirmation from third official Alan Whitehead.

Australian captain Border followed soon afterwards, spectacularly caught right-handed at slip by Nasser Hussain for three off Such. England also thought they had dismissed Mark Waugh for nought, Shepherd turning down claims that Hussain had caught him at slip off Such from an inside edge on to pad. He went on to survive another good lbw shout from Martin Bicknell before reaching a fighting half-century from 92 balls with six fours. Steve Waugh also had an escape, from a second-ball stumping as Alec Stewart fumbled a delivery by Such which bounced higher than he expected. He had made 21 by tea.

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Waugh partnership defies England

Mark and Steve Waugh swung the fifth Test Australia's way with a brilliant stand of 153 after England had looked to have taken command at Edgbaston.

The pair rescued their side from 80-4 after Peter Such had re- moved Michael Slater and Allan Border while David Boon fell to John Emburey for a duck. Mark Taylor was run out but Mark Waugh hit 137 while Steve was 57no in a total of 258-5 in reply to England's 276. MARK WINS THE WAUGH OF WORDS Century maker Mark Waugh was adamant his bat did not connect with a Peter Such delivery that had Nasser Hussain clutching a catch in the slips.

England players were convinced that Waugh should have walked and Hussain threw the ball down in disgust. But Australia's hero said: My bat hit my pad and the ball hit the middle of the pad. I definitely didn't hit it. England rapped me all day about it.

England boss stands by Stewart

England manager Keith Fletcher refused to criticize wicketkeeper Alec Stewart for the missed stumping of Steve Waugh that could have turned the Test.

Waugh who made 57 not out had yet to score when Stewart fluffed a chance to give Peter Such his third wicket. It was difficult but it was a chance. All keepers miss one occa- sionally. Don't give me that rubbish that Alec's not a good keeper said Fletcher.

Boon Hails responsible Waugh

Australia's top batsman David Boon was full of praise for Mark Waugh's superb 137 at Edgbaston that dented England's hopes of taking command of the match.

Boon who was out for a duck to the recalled John Emburey said: He played superbly and with a lot more responsibility than in the past.

Day 5 Report

England suffer eight wicket rout

Australia have won the fifth Test by eight wickets scoring the 120 runs required with two wickets lost. Resuming at 9 0 the Aussies had early morning jitters as they lost openers Michael Slater (8) and Mark Taylor (4) for just three runs falling to 12 2. But spinners John Emburey and Peter Such who had done the damage were tamed as Mark Waugh (62no) and David Boon (38no) saw the Aussies home.

Waugh: Batting is a simple game

Mark Waugh steered Australia to an eight wicket win in the fifth Test at Edgbaston with a brilliant second innings knock of 62no. And after helping Australia to a 4 0 series lead with just the Oval Test left Waugh explained the secret to his consistent batting.

He said: The key to it is just to get in settle down and find the gaps and then play a simple game.

Atherton optimistic about future

Mike Atherton's first Test match as captain ended in an eight wicket defeat but he was otpimistic about the future. After seeing the Aussies take a 4 0 series lead he said: Cap- taincy is one of those things that the more you do of the better you will get.

Sadly we were 100 runs short in the first innings which has been the pattern throughout the summer. But we are in a rebuild- ing stage.

Contributed by goo-chie (jdw5@*.ukc.ac.uk)