First Ashes Test: Bad Light stops play as Australia still have upper hand
A defiant 81 by Michael Hussey denied England the upper edge on day 2 of the first Ashes Test as Australia finished the second day 220-5 at stumps.
The English bowlers did dominate the proceedings in the second session of the day between lunch and tea as they reduced Australia to 143 for 5 from being 96 for 1 but Hussey combined with Brad Haddin to ensure that Australia ended day two with the upper
hand when bad light stopped play.
The play on third day will start 30 minutes ahead of schedule with England facing an uphill task to restrict Australia to a minimum first innings lead or perhaps ideally with none.
James Andersen and Steven Finn were the best bowlers for the visitors on day 2 as they bagged 2 wickets apiece conceding 40 and 61 runs respectively.
Andrew Strauss was distraught as tropical thunderstorms unleashed themselves to stop him from taking the second new ball immediately after it was available.
Strauss was aware of the fact that a few more wickets would have put Australia on the back foot but he was unable to benefit from the overcast conditions as murky light forced the match umpires to halt the play on the day.
The day started promisingly for Australia as England’s meagre first innings total was made to look hopelessly inadequate. Katich and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Watson-c96326 provided an opening stand of 78 runs and with Australia reaching 96-1, it looked like England were in for a torrid
time in the field.
But, Andersen then struck twice in quick succession to remove first Ponting for 10 and then Katich just after the left hander reached his half century to give England a glimmer of hope.
And when Finn and Swann got rid of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Clarke-c51120 and North to reduce the hosts to 143 for five, it looked like their first innings total might just prove to be substantial.
But, Hussey had just arrived at the crease and with him at the wicket; nothing can be taken for granted as he has time and again guided Australia out of the direst situations. Although, the situation was not much dire here but Australia still needed him
to get runs on the board and the left hander duly obliged.
Hussey along with Haddin batted with remarkable ease to guide their team to a safe 220-5 just 40 runs short of the visitors' total.
Andersen after his mid spell where he took 2 wickets never looked convincing while Swann also struggled on a 2nd day pitch that was still providing some assistance to pacers.
Finn also struggled to find his line and length and while Broad bowled with some guile even he failed to get past the defences of Hussey.
When bad light stopped play, Australia were precariously placed at 220 for 5, not a convincing score at all but considering the fragility shown in their recent Tests, Australia must be thanking heavens for opening up like they did and stopping play to deny
England the chance to have a go at them with the new ball.
It was a moment that could prove to be crucial in deciding the fate of this Test as a few more wickets would surely have put England in the driving seat but for now, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 are sitting pretty in the dressing room, just 40 runs behind England’s total and
still have 6 wickets in hand.
The third day for England will start in the same manner as did the second with the bowlers required to produce some wickets for the captain in order to restrict Australia’s progress. But, if they fail to comply, they may be in for a torrid time again and
judging by Hussey’s batting today it looks like that England are not going to find it easy.
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