UPDATE 2-Cricket-Australia bat throughout third day to take lead
* Australia take first innings lead
* Floodlights turned on for first time
* Ponting leads from the front
CARDIFF, July 10 (Reuters) - Australia batted throughout a rain-interrupted third day of the first Ashes test against England to take a 44-run first innings lead over the hosts on Friday.
After floodlights had been turned on for the first time in a British test, Australia reached 479 for five in their first innings in reply to England's 435.
Captain Ricky Ponting led from the front during a sun-baked morning session, reaching 150 before he dragged a Monty Panesar delivery on to his stumps.
His deputy Michael Clarke took over with a delightful 83 and Marcus North showed the benefit of his stints with five English counties to mark his Ashes debut with a thoroughly competent 54 not out. Continued...
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