Pietersen pulverizes Australia on day three of Adelaide Test
If day two was all about the class of Cook, day three was all about the power of Pietersen, as England pulverize http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 in the second Ashes Test match being played at the Adelaide Oval.
The third day of the second Test belonged to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 born right-handed batsman, Kevin Pietersen, who underlined his status as one of the most destructive players in the game with a sublime double hundred. Pietersen’s double followed
an outstanding effort by opener Alastair Cook, to take his team past the 500 run mark, as rain brought a premature end to the day’s play.
Pietersen helped his team amass a lead of 306 runs with two days left in the Test ensuring that only one team stays in contention for a win and a 1-0 lead in the five Test match series.
Pietersen, who had struggled for runs in recent months, including an ordinary summer at home was in full flow as he resumed from his overnight score of 84 to pile on the misery for Ricky Ponting’s men.
At the end of the day’s play Pietersen was a satisfied man, "I really do believe we are in a really strong position in this game", said Pietersen. "Obviously the rain didn't help us with the plans we were going to go out and produce, but
I think rain or no rain, there's a really good chance that we can win this Test match, with the amount that North spun the ball out of the rough today and we have the best spinner in the world in our team".
Pietersen's unbeaten 213 was the second double ton of his career and his first three-figure score in the last 19 months, and he felt that the major reason for his outstanding contribution here was the support that he had been given by the
dressing room despite his recent failures.
"It's brilliant, isn't it?" he said. "It's not a surprise at all, because we all believe in each other in the dressing-room, we know what each other are capable of and when everybody's on fire and in form then these scores are possible.
To get the team into a position like this, with Cooky and Trotty doing the hard yards to get the wear into their bowlers again, and for a couple of us to go and enjoy ourselves, was great”.
On the other hand the beleaguered Aussies have a lot to do in the remainder of the series, for now though they are contemplating on the abject failure of their bowling attack that has leaked more than 1000 runs in the last two innings and
have taken a mere 5 wickets in the process.
One of the bowlers, who have been on the receiving end of this onslaught, is all-rounder Shane http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Watson-c96326, the seamer and opening batsman is at odds to understand his team’s dilemma.
"You can't take anything away from the English, they have batted very well, Alastair Cook especially through these last two Tests", Watson said. "His concentration is something we have to do as batters, and stay out there for long periods of time. The wickets
have been fairly flat, but that's no excuse as well. We're skilled enough to make the most of what's out there".
The last two days of the Test are going to be an uphill struggle for the hosts as the wicket has started turning, besides there is reverse swing available with the old ball.
At least two of the Aussie batsmen would have to score big hundreds and bat for a long time if they want to go into the next Test match of the series without conceding a lead.
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