England wrap up big Test win

Tourists thrash Australia by an innings and 71 runs in Adelaide to take 1-0 Ashes series lead going into third Test.

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Kevin Pietersen took a vital wicket to set up England for the win after scoring a brilliant double century [EPA]

England took their first Ashes series lead in Australia in more than 20 years as Graeme Swann and James Anderson ripped through the order to win the second Test by an innings and 71 runs.

Australia’s last six batsmen were dismissedfor 66 runs in the first session of the final day on Tuesday as Swann completed a five-wicket haul and Anderson took two wickets in two balls.

It was the tourists’ first Test victory on Australian soil since the 2002-03 tour and a first series lead Down Under since 1986-87.

“We never gave them a look in in the game,” England captain Andrew Strauss said.

“We need to enjoy this and savour it, because it was a special victory for us…but it’s important that we don’t let the Australians back in the series now.

“We know the game of cricket and we know it has a way of biting you if you start patting yourself on the back too much.”

Key wicket

Australia resumed on 238 for four, having lost the key wicket of Michael Clarke to part-time spinner Kevin Pietersen – who had earlier scored a vital double century for England – on the last ball of day four.

Day five scorecard

Australia first innings 245 
England first innings 620-5 decl
Australia second innings (o/n 238-4)
S Watson c Strauss b Finn 57
S Katich c Prior b Swann 43
R Ponting c Collingwood b Swann 9
M Clarke c Cook b Pietersen 80
M Hussey c Anderson b Finn 52
M North lbw b Swann 22
B Haddin c Prior b Anderson 12
R Harris lbw b Anderson 0
X Doherty b Swann 5
P Siddle b Swann 6
D Bollinger not out 7
Extras 11
Total (all out, 99.1 overs) 304
Fow: 1-84 2-98 3-134 4-238 5-261 6-286 7-286 8-286 9-295 10-304

Any hopes of a fightback to salvage a draw were extinguished quickly when Mike Hussey, who had been the pick of Australia’s batsman in the series to date, attempted a rash pull shot off the bowling of England quick Steve Finn, having earlier been dropped by Matt Prior.

Anderson took the easiest of catches at mid-on to remove Hussey for 52, then struck with his own bowling, dispensing with Brad Haddin courtesy of an outside edge for 12.

Anderson then trapped Ryan Harris lbw for his second golden duck of the match on the next ball, though he was denied a hat-trick when Xavier Doherty fended off a short-pitched delivery on the first ball of his next over.

In between, Swann had accounted for the out-of-form Marcus North with a plum lbw, although he was forced to call for the TV umpire after his appeal was refused, to give England three wickets in four deliveries.

The spinner then delivered the coup de grace, clinching a comprehensive victory by bowling both Doherty for five and Peter Siddle for six to finish with five for 91 and the Australians all out for 304.

The final dismissal prompted wild celebrations on the pitch as the players rushed to embrace as England’s “Barmy Army” of cricket fans roared.

‘Reverse fortunes’

“It’s better this year for the English, I watched it on TV last time and it’s nice to reverse fortunes,” Swann said, referring to their match at Adelaide four years ago when the English batsmen were skittled for 129 runs in the second innings on the way to defeat.
 
Australia skipper Ricky Ponting, who was dismissed for a golden duck and nine runs in his 150th Test match, paid tribute to the quality of England’s performance.

“No doubt it’s a bad loss for us, there’s no hiding that fact, an innings and 70 runs having won the toss on a good Adelaide wicket, probably just about says it all,” he said.

“They’ve outbatted us, outbowled us, and outfielded us this entire game…We’re going to have to be at our very best if we’re going to work our way back into this series.”

England suffered a blow before play commenced with the news that fast bowler Stuart Broad had been ruled out of the rest of the series with a torn abdominal muscle.

“He’s distraught and we’re distraught that he’s going to be leaving us because he’s a big part of our team both on and off the field,” Strauss said.

“He’s been one of the mainstays of our bowling attack for quite a while now and he’s got all the ingredients to bowl well in Australia. We’re devastated for him.”

Australian batsman Simon Katich is also likely out for the series with an Achilles injury, the Australian team said shortly before England wrapped up the victory.

“It’s a big loss for us, no doubt,” said Ponting. “He’s been one of the leading openers in Test cricket since he forced his way back into the team. He’s an experienced player and a great character to have around the team.”

Source: News Agencies