Second Test, Adelaide (Day 2 - Stumps)
England 551-6 dec. v Australia 312-5
By Chris O'Keefe
Ricky Ponting went on to make his second century of this series but he could, most certainly should, have been dismissed earlier in the day as England bowled with greater discipline, which deserved arguably better results.
The crucial moment came with Ponting on 35 as he pulled a Matthew Hoggard delivery to Deep Square Leg and the waiting hands of Ashley Giles. It looked pre-planned exercise but the execution wasn't. Giles got plenty of palm to the ball but dropped it. Had it been taken, the hosts would be 78-4 in the morning session and Michael Clarke would come in with Australia needing another 274 to avoid the follow on.
It was consummately punished and although yesterday's hero Paul Collingwood would have run out Ponting with a direct hit, the Aussie skipper scored 142 in fourth wicket stand of 192 alongside Mike Hussey. Ponting's 33rd test century now Australia's all time leading century maker, an astonishing feat.
But England should take heart from today's toils. On a feather bed pitch, Australia still trail by 239 runs and the remaining recognized batsmen are under pressure to perform, Adam Gilchrist and the young Clarke.
Anderson produced reverse swing early on in an otherwise fruitless day. Harmison found bounce and better line, so much better than at The Gabba. Hoggard took all four wickets in a display of patience and supreme ability. These factors (on this batting friendly pitch) should be looked at positively. The tourists are getting bowlers back into some sort of form.
Indeed had England made further incisions first up, people might have begun to ask what all the fuss was about the week before! The beauty of England's position is that more can go right than wrong at the moment. Although the best bet is a draw, such is the deficit, England can again attack, something they look better doing than trying to defend! Shane Warne might spin the ball but Australia will require something extraordinarily special to pull off a win from this position.
England 551-6 dec. v Australia 312-5
By Chris O'Keefe
Ricky Ponting went on to make his second century of this series but he could, most certainly should, have been dismissed earlier in the day as England bowled with greater discipline, which deserved arguably better results.
The crucial moment came with Ponting on 35 as he pulled a Matthew Hoggard delivery to Deep Square Leg and the waiting hands of Ashley Giles. It looked pre-planned exercise but the execution wasn't. Giles got plenty of palm to the ball but dropped it. Had it been taken, the hosts would be 78-4 in the morning session and Michael Clarke would come in with Australia needing another 274 to avoid the follow on.
It was consummately punished and although yesterday's hero Paul Collingwood would have run out Ponting with a direct hit, the Aussie skipper scored 142 in fourth wicket stand of 192 alongside Mike Hussey. Ponting's 33rd test century now Australia's all time leading century maker, an astonishing feat.
But England should take heart from today's toils. On a feather bed pitch, Australia still trail by 239 runs and the remaining recognized batsmen are under pressure to perform, Adam Gilchrist and the young Clarke.
Anderson produced reverse swing early on in an otherwise fruitless day. Harmison found bounce and better line, so much better than at The Gabba. Hoggard took all four wickets in a display of patience and supreme ability. These factors (on this batting friendly pitch) should be looked at positively. The tourists are getting bowlers back into some sort of form.
Indeed had England made further incisions first up, people might have begun to ask what all the fuss was about the week before! The beauty of England's position is that more can go right than wrong at the moment. Although the best bet is a draw, such is the deficit, England can again attack, something they look better doing than trying to defend! Shane Warne might spin the ball but Australia will require something extraordinarily special to pull off a win from this position.
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