Ricky Ponting and Simon Katich hit tons as Australia reduced the deficit to 186. Earlier Greame Swann hit 47 not out to take England score to 435. England tail enders annoyed Australia, as they piled up 99 runs in just 16.5 overs which took England to a respectable total. Peter Siddle started of with couple of half volleys, which helped the tail to get the momentum they wanted. Johnson scalped Stuart Broad for 19 when the score was just 355 and after that Greame Swann joined Anderson to launch a ferocious assault against the Aussie bowlers. This pair added 68 runs in just 10 overs which irritated the Aussie bowlers to the core as Mitchell Johnson lost his cool and sent out smears at the batsmen.
Australia started well as rookie opener Phil Hughes made a brisk 28 of just 30 balls before lunch. England bowlers made the mistake of pitching it short and offering width. He scored runs quickly without any hesitation. Post lunch, Flintoff came in and bowled from around the stumps to Hughes. His vulnerability against short-pitched deliveries was then exposed. It was tough for him to play Flintoff with the kind of pace he was bowling. Finally, he fell to a short delivery from Flintoff, which went in to the hands of Matt Prior. Ricky Ponting started off cautiously. However, once he got his eye in, he played some mesmerizing drives and gained control of the match. Katich looked composed from the time he entered the crease and apart from Flintoff, no other bowler threatened him. Pitch started to turn from the afternoon, but neither Swann nor Panesar troubled the Aussie pair.
As the third day beckons, the intensity of the series has been below par compared to 2005.If Australia managed to score 500+ runs, which looks apparent with the current scenario, then England’s second innings will decide the fate of this test match. According to the pitch report, it is expected to turn from day 3. We have seen some hint of turn on day 2 itself. So if Hauritz and part-timers bowl with their heart out, then Australia will have a greater chance to win the test.
