Mark Waugh hits ton as Australia take 68-run lead on second day

London, July 20: Mark Waugh's first Test century at Lord's was the centerpiece of Australia's 255 for five, a lead of 68, on the second day of the second Test against England here on Friday.

Damien Martyn was 24 not out and Adam Gilchrist 10 not out.

It was twenty years ago to the day that Ian Botham had begun his remarkable innings of 149 not out that led to England's astonishing Ashes Test triumph at Headingley but this time the heroics were Australian.

In a typically elegant innings of 108 Waugh faced 165 balls and stroked 14 fours, many of them with his trademark 'whip' shot through midwicket and square leg.

It seemed as if he and twin brother Steve were destined not to be parted before the close. But with the score on 212, Mark Waugh pushed a Dominic Cork delivery to mid on. Darren Gough swooped, threw down the stumps at the bowler's end and Mark Waugh was run out by a distance. In a two hour partnership with his elder brother they had put on 107 in 174 balls.

Waugh spent 27 balls in the nervous nineties before completing his 19th Test hundred and fifth against England.

Steve Waugh gave England an opportunity to break the stand on 136, when three overs after tea on 14, he gave Gough a caught and bowled chance that the England quick floored.

It was an error that cost England a relatively cheap 31 runs. On 45, Waugh was surprised by a Cork lifter that he gloved down the legside to wicket-keeper Alec Stewart, Australia 230 for five.

They were 'held' to 118 for three by England at tea, although they were still scoring at more than four an over.

England's position could have been better had the diving Craig White at point clung on to a miscued Mark Waugh shot off Cork to the last ball before the break. Instead Waugh was 61 not out from 86 balls including eight fours.

England, defending a meagre 187, needed a good start from fast bowlers Gough and Andrew Caddick - and they got it.

Australia left-handed opener Matthew Hayden never looked comfortable and he went for nought, fending Caddick to Mark Butcher at second slip.

New batsman Ricky Ponting made 14 before a spiteful Gough delivery lept off a length. He gloved it to Graham Thorpe at third slip and Australia were struggling at 27 for two.

But gradually Mark Waugh took command, a backfoot extra cover drive against White that raced to the boundary the shot of the day.

However Michael Slater, scoring more slowly than usual, was clearly. becoming frustrated. Caddick replaced White at the Pavilion End and with the first ball of his comeback spell induced Slater on 25 to edge an intended pull straight to Stewart. Slater faced 62 balls and hit just two fours.

Earlier fast bowler Glenn McGrath was England's tormentor-in-chief as the home side lost its six remaining wickets for 66.

McGrath finished with five for 54 from 24 overs as England's tail was put to the sword by the Australian attack. Ian Ward was 23 not out off 67 balls at the end.

"It's very satisfying, today especially," said McGrath. It's the best I've felt in a long time. It was case of not running in and trying to bowl 90 mph but getting it in the right place.

In the dressing room there are boards to show (Test) five wickets in an innings, 10 wickets in a match as well as hundreds.

"It's full of great names and it's a chance to go down in history. To get there again (McGrath took eight for 38 here in 1997) is great."