Afternoon:
9°c
Australia suffered a spectacular batting collapse during the afternoon session of their tour match against Sussex — one that will have left England's bowlers licking their lips in anticipation.
Resuming on 90 for two after lunch in ideal batting conditions at Hove, the tourists lost three wickets in 10 balls at the cost of only one run, with Simon Katich, Mike Hussey and Marcus North all out in quick succession.
Sussex debutant Pepler Sandri — a South African with an Italian passport — did the bulk of the damage by removing Katich and North, with James Kirtley picking up the wicket of Hussey.
It could have been even worse but Michael Clarke was dropped by Ed Joyce at second slip off Kirtley with the score on 123 for five.
Wicketkeeper Brad Haddin and Clarke then did a careful rebuilding job, adding 40 runs to guide them to 153 for five.
But it was hardly the start to the tour Ricky Ponting's men would have wanted, with the First Test beginning in Cardiff on 8 July.
Needing just one run to reach a half-century, Katich was caught at first slip by Mike Yardy, before Hussey fell lbw to James Kirtley.
Sandri — who had also dismissed opener Phillip Hughes for 14 — then claimed his third scalp, with North caught behind. Ponting made just eight before he nicked one behind from Luke Wright.
