Ashes T 2 Day 2 Stumps: England Have Their Hands Around Aussie Necks

The rain break between lunch and tea saw an extended session post tea and it was not a pretty session for Australian cricketers or fans. In anything, England are firming in the driver’s seat and will be hoping the rain stays away so they can press to change Australia’s history at Lord’s.
Australia were precariously poised at twenty-two for two but recovered to eighty-seven at tea with no further loss. However, the post tea session brought about a decisive session for the hosts as Australia stumbled with the breaking of the partnership that held the innings together.
Simon Katich was the first to go, falling for forty-eight, to Graham Onions off a mistimed shot. Mike Hussey, who appeared to have conquered the demons that ruled his form with a fine fighting Test half century, was bowled comprehensively by Andrew Flintoff, leaving Australia at four down for 111. Disaster struck on the same score as Michael Clarke perished for one to James Anderson, who is having an unbelievable day with the ball, striking in the right areas and troubling the Australians to devastating effect.

Marcus North’s one rash shot to Anderson made the latter’s day bringing in his fourth scalp. But it was Brad Haddin whose vain attempts to convince the umpires about the light situation resulted eventually in his falling for a short delivery from Stuart Broad, leaving Australia in total disarray at eight for 152. Australia only added four more runs to their first innings total when the umpires offered the light at Lord’s which the Australians accepted rather predictably.
England can ram the point home here at Lord’s on day three as Australia finished the second day’s play on 156 for eight when bad light intervened. Australia still need seventy-four runs to avoid the follow on first before they can complement overhauling England’s first innings score.

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