England pile on the runs

Today the Barmy Army shouted themselves hoarse for Paul Collingwood and Kevin Pietersen who collected a double century and century respectively. In a massive turnaround from the Gabba Test only a few days ago, England were completely in charge on a slow Adelaide Oval pitch.

Glenn McGrath still seems to be troubled by a bruised heel. As a result he bowled at a slower pace, and consequently was not as effective as he was at the Gabba. The assurance he gave his captain that he was 100 percent fit at the start of the match was surely more wishful thinking than fact.

Collingwood began the day on 98, and was determined not to repeat his mistake at the Gabba where he was out for 96. He was finally out to a fullish delivery from Stuart Clark, which was gratefully accepted by Adam Gilchrist. He made a massive 206 from 392 balls with 14 fours and 1 six. His partnership with Kevin Pietersen was worth 310 runs. Collingwood became the eighth English batsman to score a double century against Australia.

Warne’s tactic to Pietersen was to bowl over the wicket into the rough. This did not work. Pietersen played a range of shots from all the bowlers but when he was on 158, which was Pietersen’s previous best score against Australia, he was brilliantly run out by Ricky Ponting, who scooped up the ball and aimed it at the base of the stumps and had Pietersen run out well out of his ground.

With two new batsmen, Flintoff and Jones, Australia sensed that England were wanting to get quick runs for a declaration. Shane Warne finally claimed a wicket. Geraint Jones was looking to go after the ball, but only succeeded in hitting it into the waiting arms of Martyn at point, and was out for one.

Andrew Flintoff declared when England had reached 550.

Australia then had to negotiate nine overs before stumps. In the second over of the Australian innings, Langer was out for four off the bowling of Flintoff, and England claimed their first wicket. Australia finished the day on 28-1 with Ponting on 11 and Matthew Hayden on 12.

England 551-6 dec.
Paul Collingwood 206, Kevin Pietersen 158
Stuart Clark 3-75

Australia 28-1
Matthew Hayden 12*, Ricky Ponting 11
Andrew Flintoff 1-14