England have the upper hand at the conclusion of the first day of the second Ashes test in Adelaide. After a strong bowling performance carved through the Australian order, the hosts were all out for just 245 runs.
Australia won the toss and elected to bat on an Adelaide pitch renowed for its batting-friendly conditions. However a spell of bowling, featuring consistent line and length from Stuart Broad and James Anderson, had the Aussies in trouble from the first over.
After just four delieveries, a mix-up between openers Shane Watson and Simon Katich led to the latter being run out without facing a ball.
Anderson stepped up to draw Ricky Ponting into an edge, removing the Australian captain on his first delivery.
A near identical delivery in Anderson's next over removed a struggling Michael Clarke for just 2.
Shane Watson and Michael Hussey almost guided Australia to triple figures, before a thick Watson edge was caught by Kevin Pietersen at Point, removing the opener for 51. Their stand was to be the largest partnership of the day, a mere 60 runs.
Marcus North then joined a dominant Hussey at the crease. After a solid start by North, an attempted late cut was edged to wicketkeeper Matt Prior, removing him for 26. His early exit from the wicket looks set to place further pressure on the Australian selectors to consider his future in the side.
The Hussey and Brad Haddin partnership, dominant in the first test at the GABBA, was again on show in Adelaide. A series of strong cover drives and off-side strokes from Hussey pushed the partnership beyond the 50 mark once again, without Haddin playing a strong support role once again.
Hussey looked set to score his third straight Ashes century, until he edged a lofted Graeme Swann delivery to first slip, seeing Hussey off just 7 short of triple figures.
Haddin began reverting to his more aggressive play style as the inning progressed, and in a typical stroke by the Australian wicketkeeper, brought up his half century with a 6. He managed 56 runs, before sending a catch to Steve Finn, giving Stuart Broad his only wicket for the day.
His wicket was the last, leaving the Aussies a disappointing score of 245, on a pitch with more potential for runs than wickets.
England went in to bat for just one over, with a leg bye the only impact on the English scorecard.
Australia first Innings: 245 [HS: M. Hussey 93 - BB: J. Anderson 4/51]
England first Innings: 0/1
Stumps Day 1
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