There is so much going on in the Ashes that I wonder where should I start - the Aussies kicked of in the series the way they had last year in England winning the opener at Gabba. In the second England may have made a rickety start, however, a brilliant knock from Kevin Peterson, babattering the pigeon all over the park and then the in-form batter Paul Collingwood striking an epic double ton becoming only the first English to score a Double Test century in Australia in 70 long year’s rivalry. Peterson with 158 and Collingwood with 206 paved the way for England’s hefty first inning total of 551 before the stand-in skipper Flintoff called of the innings.
The Australian bowlers received a heavy pelting from the English batsman - Glenn McGrath performed brilliantly in the first Test, clinching 6 wickets in the first innings, he had mocked at the crowed limping of the ground after Aussies choose to bat averting to impose a follow on... But the way he has underperformed in the second Test struggling to maintain the accuracy that the man’s synonym to: his fitness provokes me to think its time for the selectors to ponder over the ageing pigeon’s future (before he really has to limp off). Brett Lee is the strike force that literary dominates the bating lineup around the world, but his over aggression has marred him repeatedly: he has been charged of over-appealing against Peterson. If Lee is found guilty of the offence under the ICC’s code of conduct he could be slapped a fine of the entire match fee.
Luck was running England’s way until the third day - post piling the mammoth total they managed to shake the Aussies presenting the favorites with some early jolts sending back their top order cheaply: however, when it comes to Punter the English seem to run out of that much needed fate... Ponting was dropped on 35 by Giles, and went on to score a century, his 2nd in three innings this series and 10th in 13 Tests, totaling 33 tons (fourth in the highest century makers list of all times) making another mark in the history books, becoming the most prolific Australian century maker off all times (overtaking Steve Waugh) restoring some composure into the squad.
Australia still have a long way to go the require 352 to avoid the follow on - England’s bowling changes and the timely switching to the new ball when its due will be the decisive to turn things their way: this Test is a good platform for them to upset the Aussie the way they had last year, when they lost the First Test and then went on to win the other two - can Freddy help England repeat 2005.
Read: Cricinfo
