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Birmingham: Australia made a confident start in the third Ashes Test against England as Shane Watson's unbeaten fifty lifted them to 126 for one on a rain-disrupted first day on Thursday.
The start of the match was delayed by six hours but Watson, recalled in place of Phillip Hughes, and Simon Katich played a series of crisp strokes to seize the initiative against a subdued England seam attack.
Katich fell for 46 to off-spinner Graeme Swann but Watson had moved on to 62 at the close, including 10 fours, with his captain Ricky Ponting on 17.
Australia, looking to level the series following their 115-run defeat in the last test at Lord's, suffered a blow when wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, named in the side at the toss, was ruled out with a finger injury sustained in practice.
The Australians asked England for permission to replace Haddin and the hosts agreed, allowing Graham Manou to make his debut.
Ponting won the toss and Watson was promoted up the order to partner Katich, immediately looking comfortable in an unfamiliar role.
He almost played on a delivery from Andrew Flintoff but welcomed Graham Onions to the attack with a perfect off-drive for four to bring up Australia's 50.
Watson drove the same bowler straight for four and pulled him fiercely through square leg, forcing England captain Andrew Strauss to withdraw Onions from the attack.
He turned to Swann who struck in his first over, trapping Katich lbw for 46 as the left-hander aimed to pull him through mid-wicket.
Katich struck nine fours in a fluent 48-ball knock but Watson maintained his concentration and reached only his second Test fifty just before the close.
Brief Score: Australia 126 for 1 (Watson 62*, Katich 46) v England
