Clark says Australia need to strike early

ADELAIDE, Dec 1 (Reuters) Australia will be looking to strike early when the second Ashes test resumes tomorrow after England rebounded from last week's defeat in Brisbane to pile on 266 for three on the opening day at Adelaide Oval.

The home side had the tourists in trouble before lunch on Friday when Stuart Clark dismissed Andrew Strauss (14) and Alastair Cook (27), but England finished on top after Paul Collingwood (98 not out), Kevin Pietersen (60 not out) and Ian Bell (60) all made half-centuries.

Clark said Australia's bowlers knew they were in for a tough day after captain Ricky Ponting lost the toss and England took first use of a pitch perfectly suited to batting, but added that early wickets on day two could change the momentum of the match.

''We kept it tight and they probably got away from us in the final session, but if we get two wickets early tomorrow and get them 5-260 or 270 and we're right back in the game again and almost on top,'' Clark told a news conference.

''It was always going to be hard work today. If we won the toss we would have batted as well so the game will come down to us bowling well tomorrow and batting well for a couple of days and seeing how the pitch deteriorates and what's on offer.'' Clark said there were no injury concerns about Glenn McGrath even though the lanky paceman had to pass a fitness test before the match.

TARGET COLLINGWOOD There were fears McGrath might have to miss the match after injuring his heel in Brisbane but he bowled 18 overs in the day, although his pace was slightly down and he did not get a wicket.

''Glenn did his fitness test in the morning and said he was 100 per cent, never felt better, so you can only take his word and go with it,'' Clark said.

''His foot's fine, he bowled a few overs and it got quite cold there in the afternoon and he was a bit stiff and he hadn't moved around too much.

''I think Glenn's fine, there's no issue there at all.'' Clark said the Australians planned to put Collingwood under pressure on Saturday with the 30-year-old ending the first day two runs short of his maiden Ashes ton, less than a week after he threw his wicket away on 96 in Brisbane.

''I've never got to the 90s myself, but batters obviously get a little bit tense around that figure,'' Clark said.

''He got a little tense in Brisbane and hopefully we'll go out there in the morning and try to keep him there for a couple of overs and try to get him out.'' Clark picked up his two wickets in the middle of the first session but hardly bowled again after Shane Warne and part-time spinner Michael Clarke split most of the overs after tea.

Clark was reintroduced to the attack when the second new ball was taken after the 85th over but admitted he was surprised he had not bowled more.

''It's always disappointing when you don't bowl overs, you can't get them out standing at fine leg and it's very boring out there sometimes,'' he said.

''Ricky went down a different path, he had a few ideas in mind and I'm sure I'll get my turn tomorrow.'' REUTERS PM KN1524