Cricket Update: Ashes 2010- England dominant at the end of second day
The fourth Ashes test this year was considered the all important game in the reign for the Ashes title for both England and Australia. The critics and the speculators anticipated a great game on hand, as both nations would battle it out for the Ashes trophy.
England is in a good position before the 4th test to retain the Ashes trophy just by winning one out of the two games, whereas Australia needed to make sure not to loose this one in order to keep the series alive.
The all important 4th test started positively for England right from the word go as they won the toss on the first morning at the Melbourne Cricket Stadium and chose to field. Things couldn’t have been better for England as Australian team was
all booked at a low total of just 98 runs.
Australia never seem to gain even the slightest of control in the first innings as their wickets kept on trembling on regular intervals courtesy some exuberant bowling from James Anderson and Chris Temlett. The duo picked 4 wickets each to slice through
the Australian batting line up leaving them devastated.
Micheal http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Clarke-c51120 was the highest scorer for Australia who made just 20 runs. Tim Bresnan took the remaining two wickets to close the books of Australian innings.
After scoring such a low total in an all important competition, Australia needed to do something special to get back into the game but it was not destined their way. England Openers shattered all hopes for Australia by giving England a 157 runs stand. Alastair
Cook and Andrew Strauss both scored half centuries.
First success for Australia came when Cook was caught by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Watson-c96326 on the bowling of Peter Siddle after scoring 82 runs as England became 157 for 1. Pretty soon, Strauss was also dismissed giving Australia a ray of hope as England became 170 for 2. This was
until Jonathan Trott entered the field and took control. He played the anchor role to put England in a dominant position sensing the Ashes trophy. Trott scored a dazzling unbeaten century as he ended the second day at 141 not out.
Kevin Pietersen also scored a stylish half century to contribute to the England innings. England Lead by 346 runs at the end of second days play with Trott and Ian Bell still on the crease. Bell is on an unbeaten 75 runs as both the batsmen look in an immaculate
position to dictate terms to Australia bowling attack.
Frustration was seen on the Australian players as they could see their chances to stay in the series diminishing. Australian captain lost his cool and entered into arguments with the umpires while his counterparts remained cool and calm to take England to
a position of control.
Peter Siddle has been the most successful bowler for Australia so far as he took 3 wickets. The only other successful bowler for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 is Mitchell Johnson who took 2 wickets. Now that England already have a substantial lead with three days play remaining,
will Australia produce something herculean to at least by some miracle draw this test.
Weather is to play least role in this match as the forecast for Melbourne has no rain in it. It seems like England are headed towards another victory unless Australia pull a miracle. A victory here at the MCG for England will assure retaining of their Ashes
title. Cricket is a game of high unpredictability and still anything is possible. Will Australia produce something immaculate to keep the series alive? It is hard but still not impossible yet though all the odds are against them. What will happen is to be
found only in due course.
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