Australia made a confident start in the third Ashes Test against England as Shane Watsons 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. Earlier,opening batsman Hughes announced on his Twitter page that he has been dropped. Hughess message was sent out before official team news was disclosed. He wrote: Disappointed not to be on the field with the lads today,will be supporting the guys. Thanks for all the support. Australia: S Watson batting 62,S Katich lbw b Swann 46,R Ponting batting 17; Extras: (lb-1) 1; Total: (one wicket; 30 overs) 126; Fall of wickets: 1-85; Bowling: Anderson 10-0-45-0,Flintoff 9-2-31-0,Onions 3-0-21-0,Broad 6-1-24-0,Swann 2-0-4-1
