Australia 570-9 declared and 132-3 declared lead England 172 and 247-6 by 283 runs (Australia lead Series 1-0)
Australia only require four more wickets on the final day to win the second test match. Clarke decided to declare on 132-3 just before the start of play which left the Australian bowlers two days to bowl England out. It was not the start England were hoping for as they were reduced to 65-2 by lunch, with Cook and Carberry both being dismissed. Root and Pietersen offered some resistance with a 100 run partnership but Siddle bowled Pietersen out to leave England struggling on 131-3. Bell only lasted 19 balls before being sent back to the pavilion as England fought their way to 143-4 at Tea. Two more wickets fell during the evening session as Australia closed in on victory. Lyon managed to take the important wicket of Root, who fell on 87 before Stokes edged behind as England finished the day on 247-6 and 283 runs behind.
My Opinion:
Australia are inevitably going to wrap things up tomorrow and I fully expect it to be before lunch is taken. A bold decision by Clarke at the start of the day to declare but it gave his bowlers two full days to bowl England out. It was disappointing to see both openers dismissed cheaply and early on as it set a bad tone for the rest of the order. Root and Pietersen tried their best and looked as though they could offer some resistance but as soon as Pietersen was dismissed it was the beginning of the end for England. Bell quickly followed as England were down four wickets by Tea. Losing Root was disastrous for England and marked the point where all England's hopes had gone. Stokes put in a shift but England needed so much more. It would be naive to hope England can score another 283 runs or even bat out the whole fifth day so expect Australia to take a 2-0 series lead tomorrow.
Match Guide: Key Moments:
Morning Session:
23.59: 132-3 declared, Warner 83*(117), 9 fours and 1 six, Smith 23*(34), 2 fours.
Batsman of the Innings: Warner 83*(117)
Bowler of the Innings: Anderson 2-19
England Second Innings:
0011: 1-1, Cook 1 (7), caught Harris, Johnson.
0053: 20-2, Carberry 14 (39), 2 fours, caught Lyon, Siddle.
0151: 56-2, Root 26*, Pietersen 12*.
0215: 65-2, Root 29*, Pietersen 18*, Lunch.
Afternoon Session:
0303: 70-2, 50 partnership between Root 32* and Pietersen 20*.
0329: 102-2, Root 49*, Pietersen 35*.
0337: 104-2, 50 for Root.
0353: 128-2, 100 partnership between Root 59* and 50 for Pietersen.
0414: 131-3, Pietersen 53 (99), 2 fours and 3 sixes, bowled by Siddle.
0444: 143-4, Bell 6 (19), 1 four, caught Johnson, Smith.
0449: 143-4, Root 66*, Stokes 0*, Tea.
Evening Session:
0509: 151-4, Root 74*, Stokes 0*.
0548: 171-5, Root 87 (194), 9 fours, caught Haddin, Lyon.
0643: 200-5, Stokes 20*, Prior 16*.
0704: 210-6, Stokes 28 (90), 5 fours, caught Clarke, Harris.
0736: 247-6, Prior 31*, Broad 22*, Close of play. England trail by 283 runs.
Batsman of the Day: Root 87 (194)
Bowler of the Day: Siddle 2-21
Player of the Day: Joe Root
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