Australia tightens grip on the match – 2nd Test vs. England

England 1-35 (Michael Carberry 20*, Joe Root 9*, Mitchell Johnson 1-9) trails Australia 9-570 declared (Michael Clarke 148, Brad Haddin 118, Ryan Harris 55*, Stuart Broad 3-98) by 535 runs.

The Australian skipper, Michael Clarke, led his side from the front by dispatching a ton while Brad Haddin blasted a hundred and put their side on top.

The Kangaroos amassed 570 for the loss of nine wickets when Michael Clarke declared the first innings and the Englishmen replied with 1-35 in 21 overs.

The second day’s game concluded on Friday, December 6, 2013, at Adelaide Oval.

Earlier, the hosts started the day at 5-273 in 91 overs whereas Michael Clarke along with Brad Haddin were batting at 48 and 7. The duo took off nicely and especially Clarke was the most aggressive of the two while hitting the boundaries at will. Haddin changed his gears by tasting a couple of sixes and went past his fifty in the process.

Brad Haddin and Michael Clarke - Soild tons in the first innings
Brad Haddin and Michael Clarke – Soild tons in the first innings

Michael Clarke smashed his consecutive Test century in the 114th over and that was his 26th one in the longer versions of the game. The sixth wicket match winning partnership contributed 200 runs and was dislodged at 457 when Clarke was gone for 148. Brad Haddin smashed his fourth Test ton with a four as the home side lost its eighth wicket at 483 when Ryan Harris appeared in the park next and hit two back to back sixes. Haddin was finally dismissed for 118 and Harris attained his second Test fifty. The remained unbeaten for 55 as the first innings of the home side was declared at 570 in 158 overs with one wicket still in hand.

Stuart Broad was the top wicket taker with three, Graeme Swann and Ben Stokes held two each whereas James Anderson and Monty Panesar shared one wicket each.

England lost their captain, Alastair Cook for just three runs when Joe Root got together with Michael Carberry and they saw off the remaining overs of the day. Carberry stood firm at his end for 20 and Root was at the other end at 9 while the tourists managed 35 for the loss of one wicket.

England has an uphill task in front of them and their batsmen have to deliver the best to avoid another defeat.


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