England rack up runs after skittling Aussies
England's openers Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook reached 73 without loss at tea after Australia were dismissed for 280 on the second day of the fifth Ashes test at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Tuesday.
January 04, 2011 / 17:55 IST
England's openers Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook reached 73 without loss at tea after Australia were dismissed for 280 on the second day of the fifth Ashes test at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Tuesday.
Skipper Strauss had made 49 with Cook on 19 as the tourists made quick runs where Australia, their tail-enders aside, had struggled and they rattled their way to a 50 partnership in just 60 balls.England have already retained the Ashes courtesy of their innings and 157-run victory in Melbourne last week but Australia could still square the series at 2-2 with a victory this week.Australian fast bowlers Mitchell Johnson and Ben Hilfenhaus had drawn the biggest cheers of the day from a packed house with a superb slogging tailend partnership of 76, which rescued their team from 189-8 to the brink of respectability.Both slugged huge sixes in one three-ball spell after lunch and Johnson brought up his second half century of the series soon afterwards with a single off Graeme Swann.Once Tim Bresnan had removed Johnson's off stump for 53, however, it was only a matter of time and Hilfenhaus duly fell, caught behind for 34 after getting a nick on a short delivery from James Anderson, who finished with 4-66.The Australian batsmen, who resumed on 134-4, contributed to their own demise with some poor shot selection as they have for much of the series.Brad Haddin, elevated to number six in the batting order, departed for six runs 20 minutes into the morning after a wild slash at a James Anderson delivery took a big edge and Matt Prior claimed a simple catch behind the wicket.Mike Hussey continued to defy the English attack as he has for much of the series but he went just before the new ball was taken, tricked into an inside edge onto his own stumps by an inswinger from Paul Collingwood for 33.Anderson got the new ball swinging immediately and Steve Smith was the next to go for 18 with an ill-advised attempt at a big drive that took an edge and Collingwood snaffled up at third slip.Peter Siddle made two runs but lasted just four balls before getting an outside edge to another Anderson outswinger and England skipper Andrew Strauss did the honours in the slips.England just need to avoid defeat to win an Ashes series in Australia for the first time since 1986-87. Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
