Trott’s century helps England take 415-run lead in Melbourne Test
Jonathan Trott made an unbeaten 168 not out, to help his team take a massive lead in the Melbourne Test. It was a professional batting display by England, as they thoroughly dominated the Australian bowlers. The bowlers did not pose enough trouble for the
English batsmen, and once again failed to control the onslaught from the English batsmen. England made 513 in their first innings, and took a massive 415-run lead. Australia only has pride to play for now, as they face the daunting task of having to bat for
three days to save the Test match.
England started the second day at their overnight score of 157 for no loss, and were looking good to post a huge first innings total. England lost their first wicket in the early, when Cook was dismissed for 82 by Peter Siddle. Strauss too did not add much
to his overnight score, and got out for 69. He failed to negotiate a short ball and edged it to the gully fielder. England had lost two quick wickets in the morning session, and it was a great opportunity for the Aussies to put the pressure on the English
batsmen. However the visitors held their nerve, and pushed on with their lead.
Jonathan Trott and Kevin Pietersen put together a 92-run partnership for the third wicket, and stretched England’s lead even further. It was a good partnership from the two batsmen, and they showed a lot of composure in their innings. The Australian bowlers
were becoming very frustrated, and it was turning out to be a worrying situation for Ricky Ponting.
Ponting was involved in an outburst with the umpires, when Aleem Dar turned Johnson’s appeal for caught behind down, and gave Kevin Pietersen not out. The review showed that the ball had missed Pietersen’s bat by some margin, and the third umpire also backed
Aleem Dar’s decision. That was when Ponting lost his cool, and argued with the both the umpires and the batsmen. It was an ugly scene, and it clearly showed the frustration and desperation of the Aussie skipper.
England were unaffected by this circus, and continued their good batting. Pietersen played well for his 51, and struck seven boundaries in his innings. Just when both batsmen were looking good for England, Australia bounced back in the match with three quick
wickets. Siddle took his third wicket of the day, when he trapped Pietersen leg before for 51. Australia had more success when they got rid of Collingwood (8) and Ian Bell (1) in quick succession. Both batsmen were dismissed while trying to hook the short
ball. England were 286 for five, and it was high time for the Aussies to dismiss England for a low total. However this time it was Matt Prior’s turn to score some runs in the series. Prior had some nervy moments in the start, but recovered well from them and
scored a gutsy 85.
The real star for England was Jonathan Trott, who reached an impressive 168 to take his side to a commanding position in the Test match. He was quite calm in his approach, and played all the bowlers on merit. Trott played a lot of shots on the leg side,
and rotated the strike well with the other batsmen. He struck a lot of boundaries in the mid-wicket region, and also scored singles in the fine leg region.
Trott’s innings was an important one for the English team, as England was struggling at 286-5, and his wicket would have helped the Aussies in chasing a smaller lead in their second innings. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 eventually dismissed England for 513, but they were not
successful in minimising the English lead. Peter Siddle was the pick of the Australian bowlers, as he took six wickets in England’s innings. England now have a lead of 415 runs, and nothing more than a miracle can save the Kangroo’s from defeat in Melbourne.
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