England Gets Big Lead With Trott's Ton
Melbourne, Dec 27 : Jonathan Trott hit a masterful, unbeaten century to lead England to 444-5 at stumps and an emphatic 346-run lead after the second day of the fourth Ashes Test against Australia on Monday.
Trott will resume the third day on 141 with Matt Prior on 75, sharing a 158-run partnership. Trott brought up his second century of the series and third overall against Australia when he cut a Ryan Harris ball through mid-wicket for four. England will retain the Ashes with a win here.
Seam bowler Peter Siddle claimed three wickets and took two catches before tea to revive Australia’s slim hopes, but could only go part-way towards making up for the home side’s disastrous start to the match on Sunday when it was sent in to bat and bundled out for 98.
After dismissing openers Alastair Cook and Andrew Strauss to start the day, Siddle (3-41) trapped a dangerous-looking Kevin Pietersen for 51 after lunch with his third delivery with the second new ball. Pietersen brought up his half-century an over earlier off 85 balls with seven boundaries.
Pietersen survived a brief scare while on 49 when Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin persuaded captain Ricky Ponting to call for a video review after an edged Ryan Harris delivery. The subsequent not out decision appeared to prompt an angry reaction from Ponting.
Mitchell Johnson (2-72) maintained Australia’s momentum by dismissing Paul Collingwood for 8, caught by Siddle at fine-leg. Siddle took his second catch off Johnson’s next over when he dived for a low chance at deep fine-leg to end Bell’s innings at just 1 run and leave England at 286-5.
Johnson appeared to have taken his third wicket shortly before tea when Prior was caught behind. Prior was on his way off the pitch as the Australians celebrated before he was called back by umpire Aleem Dar who made a protracted no-ball decision.
Resuming on the overnight score of 157-0, England lost its first wicket when Cook edged a Siddle delivery to Shane Watson at first slip in the fifth over of the day. Cook’s 82 included 11 boundaries in a 159-run opening partnership. The opener has now amassed a series leading 577 runs.
Siddle dismissed Strauss four overs later for 69 when he nicked a ball up to a leaping Michael Hussey, who caught him one-handed at backward-point. The England captain timed five boundaries in his 170-ball knock.AP
Trott will resume the third day on 141 with Matt Prior on 75, sharing a 158-run partnership. Trott brought up his second century of the series and third overall against Australia when he cut a Ryan Harris ball through mid-wicket for four. England will retain the Ashes with a win here.
Seam bowler Peter Siddle claimed three wickets and took two catches before tea to revive Australia’s slim hopes, but could only go part-way towards making up for the home side’s disastrous start to the match on Sunday when it was sent in to bat and bundled out for 98.
After dismissing openers Alastair Cook and Andrew Strauss to start the day, Siddle (3-41) trapped a dangerous-looking Kevin Pietersen for 51 after lunch with his third delivery with the second new ball. Pietersen brought up his half-century an over earlier off 85 balls with seven boundaries.
Pietersen survived a brief scare while on 49 when Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin persuaded captain Ricky Ponting to call for a video review after an edged Ryan Harris delivery. The subsequent not out decision appeared to prompt an angry reaction from Ponting.
Mitchell Johnson (2-72) maintained Australia’s momentum by dismissing Paul Collingwood for 8, caught by Siddle at fine-leg. Siddle took his second catch off Johnson’s next over when he dived for a low chance at deep fine-leg to end Bell’s innings at just 1 run and leave England at 286-5.
Johnson appeared to have taken his third wicket shortly before tea when Prior was caught behind. Prior was on his way off the pitch as the Australians celebrated before he was called back by umpire Aleem Dar who made a protracted no-ball decision.
Resuming on the overnight score of 157-0, England lost its first wicket when Cook edged a Siddle delivery to Shane Watson at first slip in the fifth over of the day. Cook’s 82 included 11 boundaries in a 159-run opening partnership. The opener has now amassed a series leading 577 runs.
Siddle dismissed Strauss four overs later for 69 when he nicked a ball up to a leaping Michael Hussey, who caught him one-handed at backward-point. The England captain timed five boundaries in his 170-ball knock.AP
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