WORCESTER, England - Australian cricketer Jason Gillespie will be keen to replicate his success with the bat when he gets a chance to bowl at Worcestershire tomorrow.
Gillespie struck a stylish 53 not out to help Australia pile on 402 runs on day two -- and 200 in the final
session -- of the three-day tour match at the New Road ground.
He and reserve wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, who made 94, added 123 for the seventh wicket in Australia's total of 406 for nine at stumps after only one over was bowled on day one because of rain.
Haddin struck 16 fours and a six in his only decent innings of the tour, and his first since he made five not out against Somerset over seven weeks ago.
Haddin fell only metres short of bringing up a century, as he was caught on the boundary off the bowling of Nadeem Malik, who took three for 78.
Gillespie, who bowled only 14 overs in the first test win over England at Lord's, is after some decent spells to get some bowling under his belt before the second test, at Edgbaston starting Thursday.
This match -- Australia's only hit-out before the first and second tests -- is also another chance for Michael Kasprowicz to keep the pressure on as he pushes to win back his spot in the test team.
Tait, who smashed a quickfire 22 today, will tomorrow bowl for his country for the first time.
Pleasingly, good weather is forecast for the day.
Most of the Australian batsman got some decent time in the middle on day two.
Openers Matthew Hayden (79) and Justin Langer (54) put on a century-opening stand, reserve batsman Brad Hodge made a slick 38 and captain Ricky Ponting made 20.
- AAP
