Ashes Series: Australia v England - Third Test (Day 2) Perth

Late wickets put England on back foot

Australia 385 lead England 180-4 by 205 runs (Australia lead Series 2-0)

Two wickets in the evening session put Australia on the front foot on day two. Wickets from Broad and Anderson reduced Australia to 338-8 early in the morning session but Siddle and Lyon scored vital runs to boost their total to 385 before Bresnan took the final wicket of the Australian first innings. Cook and Carberry managed to bat out the final part of the morning, taking England 24-0 into lunch. The opening pair survived up until 85-0 before Carberry was bowled by Harris. Root soon followed as England were reduced to 91-2 going into Tea. The evening session saw Cook pass fifty before being dismissed for 72 by Lyon. It wasn't much longer until Pietersen followed his captain back to the dressing room as England fell to 146-4. Bell and Stokes batted out the rest of the day as England finished day two on 180-4, trailing Australia by 205 runs.

My Opinion:
Not the ideal start to England's first innings. It was pleasing to see England reduce the Aussies to 354-9 as well as taking the key wicket of Smith. However, it took an age to take the final wicket as Siddle and Lyon scored 31 more valuable runs. Things were looking good when Cook and Carberry took England to 85-0. Sadly, that's when the batting started to badly. Carberry and Root both lost their wicket in quick succession whilst Cook and Pietersen were dismissed soon after each other in the evening session. It is going to take a big effort from Bell and Stokes to restore the innings as England really need to score 300 to 350 runs plus. Hopefully, England can bat well tomorrow and push themselves up to Australia's first innings score otherwise Australia could be well ahead by the close of play tomorrow. 



Match Guide: Key Moments

Morning Session:
0235: 326-7, Johnson 39 (62), 6 fours, caught Prior, Broad.
0252: 338-8, Smith 111 (208), 14 fours, 2 sixes, caught Prior, Anderson.
0256: 350-8, Siddle 8*, Harris 8*.
0314: 354-9, Harris 12 (19), 1 four, caught Root, Anderson.
0355: 385 all out, Siddle 21 (36), 3 fours, caught Prior, Bresnan. Lyon 17*(25), 4 fours.

Batsman of the Innings: Smith 111 (208)
Bowler of the Innings: Broad 3-100

England First Innings:

0431: 24-0, Cook 15*, Carberry 6*. Lunch.

Afternoon Session: 
0544: 53-0, 50 partnership between Cook 26* and Carberry 25*.
0632: 85-1, Carberry 43 (76), 8 fours, 1 six, bowled by Harris.
0653: 90-2, Root 4 (16), 1 four, caught Haddin, Watson.
0712: 91-2, Cook 42*, Pietersen 0*. Tea.

Evening Session:
0752: 102-2, Cook 45*, Pietersen 3*.
0800: 108-2, 50 for Cook.
0840: 136-3, Cook 72 (153), 10 fours, caught Warner, Lyon. 
0854: 146-4, Pietersen 19 (59), 3 fours, caught Johnson, Siddle.
0906: 153-4, Bell 1*, Stokes 4*.
1000: 180-4, Bell 9*, Stokes 14*. Close of Play.

Batsman of the Day: Cook 72 (153)
Bowler of the Day: Anderson with 2 wickets