Cricket-Imposing theatre intimidates Australians

By John Mehaffey

LONDON, July 16 (Reuters) - Australia recovered from stage fright at the most celebrated theatre in world cricket to fight their way back into the second Ashes test against England on Thursday.

After conceding runs at an alarming rate in the opening session at Lord's, Australia took wickets late in the day to restrict England to 364 for six.

"It was a pretty poor start," wicketkeeper Brad Haddin told a news conference. "Maybe the occasion got to a few of us, I know personally I tensed up a little bit in that morning session.

"The whole occasion of Lord's got to a few of us. I thought at the end of the day we started to build a bit of pressure and started to get a bit more into our work."

Mitchell Johnson, Australia's destroyer in South Africa this year, could not settle before lunch, either dropping short outside the left-handers' off-stump or over-pitching on their legs.

He leaked 53 runs from eight overs before lunch but bowled with more rhythm later in the day to take two wickets.

GOOD SIGN