England wins Adelaide Test by a convincing margin to take 1-0 lead in The Ashes series
England won the second Ashes Test against Australia by a convincing margin of an innings and 70 runs.
England would be over the moon right now as their performance is improving with every Test match. One can say they are now the favourites on paper to win the Ashes series in Australia.
It is a thought provoking situation for Australia, as now they have to perform exceptionally well to make a comeback in the series. Australia were 238-4, and they still had to cover a deficit of 137 runs to save this match.
They had a chance of saving the match when Hussey’s wicket was intact, but after his dismissal http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 lost its only chance of managing a miracle save on the last day. At the end of the 4th day, Australia were 238-4 and could have found themselves
in a better position if Michael Clarke had not been dismissed in the last over of the day.
Pieterson picked the prize wicket of Michael http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Clarke-c51120, when Clarke was caught by Cook at short leg position. Clarke made a superb 80, and it could have been a different story for the Aussies if he had stayed at the wicket.
Australia started the 5th day on a score of 238-4, with Michael Hussey still at the crease. For Australia, his presence was vital for the outcome of the match, as his innings would have determined the fate of the Aussies in the Test match.
Michael Hussey has been the star performer for the Aussies in the series, and he has certainly shown the rest of the batsmen how to bat in difficult situations. Apart from that, he has also been able to absorb the pressure that has been created by the English
bowlers. His wicket was the key for both the sides, and he was batting in a way which reflected that he wants to get on with things.
This time England were successful in getting his wicket, as they managed to get him out for 52. He was dismissed by Steven Finn, when he was caught off a pull shot to the mid wicket region. With his dismissal, England were confident of wrapping up the Test
match in quick time.
The other batsmen that had to follow were Brad Haddin and Marcus North, and apart from these two, Australia could not rely upon any other batsmen. Brad Haddin has enjoyed a good Ashes series so far, and was the centurion in the Brisbane Test. He also scored
a gutsy fifty in the first innings, and was looking in good form. Both Haddin and Hussey have shown a great deal of confidence in their batting, and have certainly played the English bowlers positively.
Australia were 261-5, and needed North and Haddin to play a match winning innings. Unfortunately, they were not able to deliver the performance, as both batsmen were dismissed cheaply. Haddin (12) was the second wicket of the morning for England, when he
was caught behind by Matt prior off the bowling of Anderson.
After Haddin’s dismissal, England’s chances of securing a win in the second Test match increased. Marcus North was the only specialist batsman left for the Aussies, and with his current form, not much was expected out of him. His form was under a lot of
discussion, and his failure in the second Test match would definitely place his name on the axing list.
The next ball by Anderson was a good one, as he was successful in dismissing Ryan Harris for a first ball duck. Anderson trapped him leg before and after Harris’s dismissal a defeat was the inevitable fate for the Aussies. Australia were 286-7, and only
a miracle performance from North and the tail-enders could have saved the Test match for the Aussies.
In the next over, Marcus North was trapped leg before by Swann, the decision at first was over turned by the on field umpire, but after the review it was seen that the ball managed to hit the pad first. With North’s dismissal it was just a matter of time
before England got rid of the rest of the wickets.
Swann managed to get rid of the tail-enders and the whole Australian side was bowled out for 304 in their second innings. Swann took the wickets of Doherty and Siddle to get his first 5 wicket haul in Australia.
Anderson and Swann were pick of the English bowlers, as both of them were able to trouble the Aussie batsmen in the Test match. Anderson and Finn picked 2 wickets each, and did not allow the Aussie batsmen to settle. Swann was quite effective in the second
Test and made the Aussie batsmen uncomfortable with his spin.
For Australia, serious planning is required to save the Ashes series, as they are under all sorts of criticism and pressure from all corners. A number of changes might occur in the Aussie lineup for the third Test, and for Australia’s sake one hopes that
these changes bear fruit.
Kevin Pieterson, for his brilliant 228, was named Man-of-the-Match.
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