Harmison serves Ashes notice

Phillip Hughes shows his discomfort as he endures another testing spell from Steve Harmison on day three at New Road

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Steve Harmison picked up two wickets for England Lions as Marcus North hit his way into form to help Australia to 276 for four on day three at New Road.

The Durham paceman accounted for Phillip Hughes for the second time in the match early in Australia's second innings when he forced the 20-year-old, on eight, to glove a rising ball from around the wicket to Eoin Morgan at second slip.

Harmison's early spell was the focal point of the third day’s play despite all-rounder North finding his touch with 106 not out.

Australia skipper Ricky Ponting, who made 15, also looked ill at ease before edging Harmison to Adil Rashid at gully after failign to get to the pitch of the ball - his third failure in the last four innings.
But North, promoted two places to number four in the order, at least provided some cheer, although he was fortunate to survive a run-out scare on 14 when well short of his ground.

He added 49 in 18 overs with Simon Katich (37), who fell to a superb reflex catch at short leg by Lions centurion Stephen Moore off Rashid.

North went to his half-century off 102 balls, and he needed only another 66 deliveries to complete his hundred, which contained 13 fours.

He figured in a fourth-wicket stand of 170 in 39 overs with Michael Clarke, who lofted Vikram Solanki to Graham Onions at long-on for 80.

North finished unbeaten on 106 out of 276 for four - an overall lead of 282.

Australia had earlier gained a narrow lead of six runs after dismissing the Lions for 352.

First, paceman Brett Lee claimed his sixth victim when he bowled Sajid Mahmood for a duck.

Then Mitchell Johnson picked up his first wicket of the innings when he bowled Tim Bresnan for five via an inside edge.

Lee accounted for Mahmood before Rashid reached his half-century off 89 balls.
Stuart Clark mopped up the innings after replacing Johnson. His third delivery brought about the end of Rashid who perished for 66 to a fine catch by Mike Hussey away to his left at gully.

Finally, Onions drove Clark straight to Hughes at extra-cover.