5th Ashes test evenly poised
Source: Agencies |
January 5, 2011, Wednesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
ENGLAND rode its luck through a rocky afternoon spell to reach 167-3 in its first innings at the close of play on the second day of a well-balanced fifth Ashes test in Sydney yesterday after dismissing Australia for 280.
Alastair Cook, who was saved from dismissal by a no-ball review, had made 61 with nightwatchman James Anderson alongside on one after a triple blow from the Australian bowlers had disrupted England's comfortable post-lunch progress.
"It's pretty even-stevens, perhaps slightly in our favor," said Anderson told reporters. "I think we've got a crucial morning session to get through tomorrow."
England has already retained the Ashes courtesy of its innings and 157-run victory in Melbourne last week but Australia could still square the series at 2-2 with a victory this week.
That looked highly unlikely when Australia was reduced to 189-8 in the morning but Mitchell Johnson and Ben Hilfenhaus then delighted the 40,000 crowd at the Sydney Cricket Ground with a splendid stand of 76 for the ninth wicket.
"Obviously it was a very important partnership for myself and Hilfy," said Johnson, who made 53.
After dismissing the Australians, England was cruising at 98 without loss in reply when Hilfenhaus bowled Andrew Strauss for 60 to reignite the contest.
Johnson then struck to remove Jonathan Trott for a duck six balls later and England was on the rack.
Kevin Pietersen, who came out to the crease to a chorus of boos, survived a shaky start, most notably when he hit the ball between his legs and the stumps when on eight.
Cook was approaching his third half century of the series on 46 when Australia's debutante spinner Michael Beer thought he had claimed his first test wicket.
England's top batsman of the series walked after ballooning the ball into the hands of Hilfenhaus but umpire Billy Bowden called him back and checked with the third umpire, who confirmed that the hapless Beer had overstepped the crease.
Pietersen look destined to stay with Cook until the end of the day but, when he was on 36, a rush of blood to the head saw him mis-time a hook shot off Johnson and Beer took a comfortable catch at deep backward square.
In Cape Town, South Africa, Sachin Tendulkar recorded another masterly century - his 51st in tests - to guide India to 316-6 at tea on day three of the deciding third test against South Africa yesterday, just 46 runs behind.
Tendulkar was 136 not out and settled India with a 69-run partnership with Harbhajan Singh (34 not out) after Dale Steyn had taken two wickets with the new ball straight after lunch.
Either side of Tendulkar's century, Steyn removed Cheteshwar Pujara leg before wicket in the first over after lunch and then had Mahendra Singh Dhoni caught by Ashwell Prince for a duck in the third over as India slipped to 247-6.
Alastair Cook, who was saved from dismissal by a no-ball review, had made 61 with nightwatchman James Anderson alongside on one after a triple blow from the Australian bowlers had disrupted England's comfortable post-lunch progress.
"It's pretty even-stevens, perhaps slightly in our favor," said Anderson told reporters. "I think we've got a crucial morning session to get through tomorrow."
England has already retained the Ashes courtesy of its innings and 157-run victory in Melbourne last week but Australia could still square the series at 2-2 with a victory this week.
That looked highly unlikely when Australia was reduced to 189-8 in the morning but Mitchell Johnson and Ben Hilfenhaus then delighted the 40,000 crowd at the Sydney Cricket Ground with a splendid stand of 76 for the ninth wicket.
"Obviously it was a very important partnership for myself and Hilfy," said Johnson, who made 53.
After dismissing the Australians, England was cruising at 98 without loss in reply when Hilfenhaus bowled Andrew Strauss for 60 to reignite the contest.
Johnson then struck to remove Jonathan Trott for a duck six balls later and England was on the rack.
Kevin Pietersen, who came out to the crease to a chorus of boos, survived a shaky start, most notably when he hit the ball between his legs and the stumps when on eight.
Cook was approaching his third half century of the series on 46 when Australia's debutante spinner Michael Beer thought he had claimed his first test wicket.
England's top batsman of the series walked after ballooning the ball into the hands of Hilfenhaus but umpire Billy Bowden called him back and checked with the third umpire, who confirmed that the hapless Beer had overstepped the crease.
Pietersen look destined to stay with Cook until the end of the day but, when he was on 36, a rush of blood to the head saw him mis-time a hook shot off Johnson and Beer took a comfortable catch at deep backward square.
In Cape Town, South Africa, Sachin Tendulkar recorded another masterly century - his 51st in tests - to guide India to 316-6 at tea on day three of the deciding third test against South Africa yesterday, just 46 runs behind.
Tendulkar was 136 not out and settled India with a 69-run partnership with Harbhajan Singh (34 not out) after Dale Steyn had taken two wickets with the new ball straight after lunch.
Either side of Tendulkar's century, Steyn removed Cheteshwar Pujara leg before wicket in the first over after lunch and then had Mahendra Singh Dhoni caught by Ashwell Prince for a duck in the third over as India slipped to 247-6.
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