England 361 and 349-7 declared beat Australia 128 and 231 by 347 runs (England lead series 2-0)
England wrapped up victory with only four balls left to go before the close of play as Graeme Swann dismissed Pattinson late in the day. England added 16 runs before Bairstow and Root were both dismissed which led to Alistair Cook declaring on 349-7, setting Australia a target of 583 runs to win. However, Australia lost three wickets before Lunch as Anderson and Swann took advantage of the worn crease, leaving the visitors 48-3. Khawaja and Clarke settled nicely into their innings with a solid partnership, adding 98 runs to their cause. It was all but game over when Joe Root, in the space of twenty minutes, dismissed both Khawaja and Clarke. Tim Bresnan compounded the loss of wickets with another, dismissing Smith for just one run before Tea was taken. Bresnan continued where he left after the Tea break, taking the wicket of Agar to reduce Australia to 154-7. Haddin was next to be sent back after being caught lbw by Swann. Harris and siddle put England on edge as they lasted an hour without losing a wicket but Anderson clean bowled Siddle to leave England needing only one more wicket to win. The new ball was taken with half an hour left to play but the wicket would not fall. Swann was left with the last over of the day to claim that vital wicket and it came two balls into the final over as Pattinson was given out lbw. England took victory by 347 runs and take a 2-0 series lead.
My Opinion:
Thrilling day of cricket and a great end to the Test Match. England let Root try and get his double century but as soon as he was dismissed the declaration came. It was an unrealistic target to get and Australia had to bat out two days of play against a strong English bowling attack. The result was inevitable but Australia put up a valiant fight. It was a poor start for the Australians, losing three wickets before lunch. It was even more crucial that Joe Root took two important wickets of Clarke and Khawaja. From then on it was a matter of when England would wrap up victory. It didn't look like the final wicket would come towards the end of play. However, Swann pulled out some magic in the final over of the day to seal a 2-0 series lead. Brilliant from England.
Match Guide: Key Moments:
Morning Session:
11.08: 344-6, Bairstow 20 (54), 2 fours, 1 six, caught Haddin, Harris.
11.15: 349-7, Root 180 (338), 18 fours, 2 sixes, caught Smith, Harris.
England declare on 349-7. Australia need 583 runs to win.
Australia Second Innings:
11.56: 24-1, Watson 20 (23), 3 fours, lbw Anderson.
12.12: 32-2, Rogers 6 (29), bowled by Swann.
12.36 :36-3, Hughes 1 (21), lbw Swann.
13.00: Lunch, 48-3.
Afternoon Session:
13.44: 58-3, Khawaja 18*, Clarke 11*.
14.14: 86-3, 50 partnership between Khawaja 36* and Clarke 21*.
14.36: 101-3, Khawaja 38*, Clarke 34*.
15.05: 121-3, 50 for Khawaja.
15.18: 134-3, 50 for Clarke.
15.19: 134-4, Clarke 51 (85), 7 fours, caught Cook, Root.
15.32: 135-5, Khawaja 54 (133), 7 fours, caught Anderson, Root.
15.38: 136-6, Smith 1 (14), caught Prior, Bresnan, Tea.
Evening Session:
16.12: 154-6.
16.13: 154-7, Agar 16 (13), 4 fours, caught Prior, Bresnan.
16.40: 162-8, Haddin 7 (32), lbw Swann.
17.38: 192-9, Siddle 18 (62), 1 four, bowled by Anderson.
17.50: 200-9, Pattinson 20*, Harris 2*.
17.55: 208-9, New ball taken.
18.41: 231 all out, Pattinson 34 (91), 3 fours, lbw Swann.
England win the second Ashes Test by 347 runs and lead the series 2-0.
Player of the Day: Graeme Swann for taking four wickets and the vital last wicket.
Bowler of the Day: Graeme Swann, taking four wickets.
Batsmen of the Day: Khawaja for scoring 54 runs.
Disappointment of the Day: England not getting the job done sooner.
Batsmen of the Test: Joe Root for scoring 180.
Bowler of the Test: Graeme Swann was brilliant with the ball.
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