Australia v England, 5th Test - Day 2

After Australia had squandered a fighting start to their first innings by losing late wickets on the first day, the rot continued as England's bowlers capitalised.

Haddin, batting at six where many had thought he should have batted all summer, came and went quickly playing a loose shot outside his off stump and edging to Prior. Smith and Hussey appeared to be steadying the ship and had all but seen off the old ball in preparation for an onslaught from Anderson when Hussey played a half shot outside his off stump reminiscent of his previous trials and sent a Collingwood delivery off his inside edge onto the stumps. Smith lasted only five overs into the new ball before he slashed at Anderson a long way from his off stump and Collingwood held the catch at third slip. Siddle, of late a lower order hero, was out in the same Anderson over, hanging his bat out for Strauss to take the low edge.

Here, England should have been hunting for the kill but with Johnson beginning to middle the ball, Strauss too quickly went on the defensive and employed the modern concept of allowing singles to men roaming the boundary to Johnson, whilst attacking Hilfenhaus. This worked so well that the pair added 76 for the ninth wicket before Bresnan eventually bowled Johnson in mid flog and then Anderson removed the big hitting Hilfenhaus and Australia were out at least 80 runs after they should have been.

Strauss and Cook began confidently against the changed new ball attack of Hilfenhaus and Johnson - Clarke hoping to capitalise on Johnson's batting confidence as Ponting had done in Perth. It was a worthwhile gamble but it didn't come off as Strauss, in particular, attacking the poor bowling from both opening bowlers. Clarke changed his bowlers around and even Watson bowled a few overs but Siddle was the best off them and he was only steady. Meanwhile Strauss raced to his half century off only 49 deliveries.

After adding 98 for the first wicket, Strauss played down the wrong line at a ball from Hilfenhaus that held its line and was bowled. It was a mistake if judgment rather than an overly clever piece of bowling and given the form Strauss had shown, it was a surprise breakthrough. Johnson was bowling again at the other end but with the stage set for Jonathan Trott, he played at a nothing ball at least 80cm outside his off stump and sent if via his inside edge back onto the stumps for his first duck in thirty Test innings and Australia had again picked up a soft wicket.

With Strauss gone, Cook blossomed and the new man, Pietersen, quickly got into stride with some gloriously driven fours. Michael Beer was introduced and Pietersen immediately went after him but the young made didn't fold. There wasn't much turn but he wasn't frightened to vary his pace and flight and in only his third over he duped Cook with flight and the England opener skied the ball to long on where Hilfenhaus took a well judged catch. The crowd erupted and Beer was swamped by team mates to celebrate his first Test scalp ... until Bill Bowden informed them he wanted to review a possible no ball. Cook had left the wicket square and had to be gathered in following a chase by Aleem Dar. Alas for the debutant, his foot was well over in the replay and the moment turned from elation to desperation.

His following overs were full of guts and determination and his grit was admirable.

With five overs until stumps, Beer had some consolation when Johnson returned to the attack and bounced Pietersen. Unable to refuse a challenge, Pietersen picked out Beer, the only man in a 130 degree arc either side of fine leg and the catch was held. Anderson did his duties as night watchman and England finished the day in charge, despite Australia's willingness to take up the fight.

The wicket will be at its best for batting tomorrow and England remain in the box seat unless they aid the Australian cause and give away wickets.