Australia v England: 2nd Test Day 1 Wrap
Australia v England: 2nd Test Day 1….and Graeme Swann rued several dropped catches by England as Australia closed the first day of the second Test in Adelaide on 273-5.
Michael Carberry was the worst culprit, missing a great chance to dismiss Brad Haddin when he dropped the Baggy Greens wicketkeeper off the bowling of the recalled Monty Panesar, who had earlier failed with a caught and bowled attempt off George Bailey.
Joe Root also put down a sharp chance as Michael Clarke was reprieved, leaving Swann to say: “Ideally we’d have taken six or seven wickets. We’re disappointed but that’s cricket – you do drop catches. We have fielded incredibly well on this trip and taken some belters, but not today.
We need to try to come back tomorrow, get the ball talking early on and try to keep them to 350.
Graeme Swann
“There’s no pace in the deck whatsoever but it’s a bit dryer than usual at Adelaide and there’s a little bit of turn, but it was slow and easy to bat on.
“We need to try to come back tomorrow, get the ball talking early on and try to keep them to 350.”
After winning the toss and opting to bat, Australia lost David Warner for 29 when Carberry caught him at point off the bowling of Stuart Broad.
A second-wicket partnership of 121 between Chris Rogers (72) and Shane Watson (51) had England on the ropes, but the tourists responded well, taking three wickets for 19 runs before tea to leave Australia on 174-4.
James Anderson produced a fine catch off his own bowling to dismiss Watson and, in the next over, Swann had Rogers caught by wicketkeeper Matt Prior.
Panesar then hit the top of Steve Smith’s off stump to bring England back into the Test.
However, after tea, Clarke, 48 not out, and Bailey put on 83 runs for the fifth wicket until Bailey pulled a short one from Broad to square leg where Swann took a brilliant catch.
Haddin, unbeaten on seven, survived until the close but the Test remains tight which will be some consolation for England following their crushing 381-run defeat in last month’s first Test in Brisbane.
Scorecard
Australia are 11/10 to win the second Test, with England priced at 4/1. The draw is available at 13/8.
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