http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 face uphill battle on day five to save second Ashes Test at Adelaide
The first three days of the 2nd Ashes Test played at the Adelaide Oval belonged to England as they piled up a big score after getting Australia out cheaply on day one.
Although the Aussies batted with a lot of courage and guts in their 2nd innings, England remained in the driving seat to take a lead going into the 3rd Test at the WACA. At the close of play on day four, Australia was at 238 for the
loss of 4 wickets, still trailing by 137 runs.
England started day 4 at 551 for the loss of 4 wickets with Kevin Pietersen not out on 213 and Ian Bell on 41. England added another 69 runs to their overnight total by losing just one wicket and declared its innings on day 4 at 620 for 5.
Kevin Pietersen was the only Englishman to be dismissed as Xavier Doherty picked up his solitary wicket of the innings in 27 overs.
There are dark clouds hanging over the Australian bowling lineup as they managed to pick up just 5 wickets in 152 overs. Throughout the innings, English batsmen were never put under severe pressure by the Australian bowlers.
Captain, Andrew Strauss was the only batsman to have missed out in England’s 1st innings when he did not offer a shot to an in-swinger by Doug Bollinger. Kevin Pietersen remained the star of the English innings with his marvelous effort of 227
runs, which came off only 308 balls with an amazing strike-rate of 73.70. His mammoth knock included 33 fours and a six.
But the real foundation was laid by Alastair Cook, who has shown great form on the tour so far. He was dismissed by Ryan Harris on 148, in which he struck 18 fours. Jonathan Trott and Ian Bell also scored valuable half-centuries.
Ryan Harris was the pick of the Australian bowlers as he bowled economically and picked up a couple of wickets as well. Apart from him, none of the Aussie bowlers looked threatening.
Australia started its 2nd innings with a huge deficit of 375 runs and their backs to the wall but both http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Watson-c96326 and Katich started the innings courageously and gave Australia a start of 84 runs before Katich was caught behind off the bowling of
Graeme Swann.
Ponting was also dismissed cheaply and the home team was in deeper trouble when Watson was dismissed by Finn after completing his half-century.
From that situation Michael Hussey and Michael http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Clarke-c51120 consolidated the Aussie innings with a partnership of 104 runs before Michael Clarke was dismissed by Kevin Pietersen just before stumps on the fourth day. Clarke’s dismissal badly damaged Australian
hopes for day five, otherwise the Aussies were looking positive to save the match on day five.
However, Michael Clarke played superbly for his 80 which included 11 fours and gave a lot of hope to Australian spectators. Michael Hussey also supported him nicely and is still unbeaten on 44 and might prove to be a thorn for England’s progress on day five.
Graeme Swann picked up a couple of wickets, whereas, Steven Finn and Kevin Pietersen picked up a scalp each.
Australia still has 6 wickets in hand and has an uphill task on day 5 to save the Test. On the other hand, England would be hoping to finish the match before tea. England’s think-tank would be planning to get Michael Hussey out early on day five to brighten
their chances of winning the Adelaide Test.
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