Graeme Swann struck twice in order to achieve a massive advantage in the second Test match at the Adelaide Oval. Swann put England’s nose right in-front as he bagged two wickets in a quick succession in the second session of the fourth day’s play.
The day belonged to England as they grabbed four wickets and in the hunt of an emphatic win. England is still ahead of Australia as they led by 137 runs at stumps. The visitors need six wickets as they seek revenge from their last defeat at the same ground.
Previously, on the last tour, England lost the Adelaide Test despite posting over 550 runs in their first innings.
Australia ended the day at 238 for the loss of four wickets. The home team stuttered in the middle overs as they lost two wickets in space of just 14 runs.
Simon Katich, who played superbly in the first half, failed to make an impression with the bat after lunch as he added only one run to his previous score. The left hander fell on a score of 43 runs to leave Australia in despair.
Ricky Ponting again failed to make an impact with the bat as his first innings’ duck was backed up by another single figure score of 9 runs. In doing so, the Australian captain opened a window for England to go for the kill.
Shane Watson had a pretty decent Test match as he mustered half-centuries in each innings. The all-rounder’s resilient effort with the bat enabled Australia to put up a decent fight in an uphill battle.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Clarke-c51120 and Hussey revived Australia as they shared a 104-stand between them in a resolute partnership. The pair took Australia to tea in a watchful manner in order to avoid any further debacle as the scorecard read 160 for the loss of three wickets.
The Australian vice-captain looked positive right from the beginning as he was timing almost every delivery superbly. The right hander has gathered some form as he piled up a well made 80-run innings to give http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 a chance to escape. Concurrently, an
in-form Hussey will resume his innings on the final day at score of 44.
Bowling for England has been on top in Monday’s play, though they were a bowler short in the proceedings, as Stuart Broad strained a stomach muscle.
Graeme Swann was phenomenal in the middle overs as he struck twice to add to Australia’s pain. The off-spinner found a perfect length to bowl on this Adelaide wicket and he tossed the ball in order to beat the batsmen in flight.
Swann dismissed Ponting and Katich in order to bring the visitors right back in the hunt, after an opening partnership of 78 runs.
Steven Finn joined the party as he chipped in with a valuable wicket of Watson. It was brilliant delivery as it was pitched on the off-stump and moved a bit off the pitch; enticing http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Watson-c96326 to drive the ball, but only managed an outside edge towards the slip
cordon, where Strauss took a clean catch.
The penultimate day’s drama ended in a fascinating manner as Pietersen dismissed Clarke on the last ball of the day. Pietersen is having a match of his life as his first innings double century gave England a real chance to win the Test match.
Previously, England posted a mammoth first innings total as they declared their innings on huge score of 620/5. Pietersen registered his highest Test score, while Cook recorded his second century in as many innings. Bell and Trott also chipped in with half-centuries.
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