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Another day, another massacre of batsmen. 16 wickets fell on Day 2 of this second Test between England and Australia. But it was the 10 Australian poles that fell in not much more than a session that will be the sorry tale talked about today. We’ll have live scores from 8.00pm AEST.
The day started badly for the baggy greens who would have begun Day 2 hoping to restrict England to less than 300. As it panned out the hosts moved beyond 350 with some late innings heroics by Graeme Swann and Stuart Broad
Australia’s total of 128 represented less a collapse and more a procession, a worryingly consistent pattern of loose shots and lonely walks back to the long room.
After a relatively good start by Rogers and particularly Watson, who partnered up for an opening stand of 42, the wickets began tumbling more regularly than a Romanian gymnast.
Watson was the greater disappointment as unlike Rogers, he actually seemed in good nick and raced to 30 until he once again was caught walking across his crease and was struck plum in front.
You get the feeling England believe its always a matter of time before Watson gets found out in this way, and they zero in on his pads like Spitfires attacking a lumbering bomber.
His less than thought out use of the DRS probably also cost Rogers a chance to challenge his less than clear cut decision and from that moment on England, and more particularly Graeme Swann, dominated the innings.
But for all of the doom and gloom, all may not be lost for the baggy greens.
Sure England come into Day 3 with a commanding 264-run lead but thanks to the lion-hearted Peter Siddle they start the day at 3-31 in their second dig.
Australia have at least a good opportunity to put pressure on the home side by snaring early wickets and perhaps set up a target of 350 to get over the remaining few days.
It’s optimistic, particularly considering the fact that the in-form batsman of the series Ian Bell is yet to bat and Australia’s 128 hardly bodes well for a second innings total more than double that, but hey we have to live in hope.
At the moment hope is all we have.
Suneer is taking a well-deserved break this evening and I will be attempting to fill his rather big and insightful shoes. Please join the Roar for live commentary and scores of Day 3 from 8.00pm AEST.
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