Ashes 2013-14: Australia seize control of 1st Test after Day 2; lead England by 224 runs

Mitchell Johnson (second from left) picked up four wickets in England’s first innings © Getty Images

By Shrikant Shankar

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Nov 22, 2013

Australia take honours on Day Two of the first Ashes 2013-14 Test in Brisbane at The Gabba with a lead of 224 runs against England. They are at 65 for no loss at stumps on the second day. Chris Rogers is batting on 15 and David Warner is on 45. England were bowled out for 136 in their first innings handing advantage to Australia.

Mitchell Johnson was the star with the ball for the Aussies as he took four wickets. Ryan Harris finished with three and Nathan Lyon took two wickets. Peter Siddle got one wicket as England collapsed from 82 for two to 136 all out.

The post-tea session began with England already at a spot of bother with their score at 94 for eight. The Australian bowlers seemed to be targeting the batsmen’s rib cages rather than the stumps. Stuart Broad was peppered with a lot of short deliveries, but he managed to get a few runs as well. He glanced one down fine-leg for a four off Johnson. One delivery later, Johnson bowled a bouncer and Broad got hit on the helmet.

Harris too took cue from Johnson and bowled from round the wicket to the right-handed Chris Tremlett. England managed to avoid the follow-on. Eventually, the trick paid off. Harris aimed one at Tremlett’s rib cage and the batsman tried to fend it off, but only spooned a catch to Nathan Lyon at leg-slip. Lyon over estimated the flight of the ball and was out of balance, but reached out to grab the ball just before it bounced.

Broad then took the onus upon himself to take England forward. Michael Clarke brought Siddle back and he too bowled short deliveries at Broad. The left-handed batsman thumped the first one faced off Siddle on the leg side for a four. He then slapped another one away for four on the leg side in-between deep square-leg and long-leg.

Siddle did not stop the barrage and bowled another quick short ball. Broad went for the pull but did not connect properly. Chris Rogers ran in from deep square-leg and took a fantastic catch diving to the ground.

England were bowled out for 136 and at the time they trailed Australia by a massive 159 runs.

Rogers and Warner opened the innings for Australia. James Anderson began proceedings with the new ball. Rogers got off the mark with a single towards covers. Warner then flayed a wide delivery for a four on the off side.

It was not smooth sailing for Rogers as was quite tentative and hogged the batting without scoring many runs. Warner scored at a brisk pace, but did not face many deliveries. There was swing for the England seamers, but not enough to trouble the Aussie openers. Broad bowled one short to Warner and it was quite close to the batsman. But Warner managed to play the lofted cut shot and got a four towards the gully region.

Rogers found it extremely difficult to score a single run for a long time. Warner on the other hand was looking in good form as he slapped a few fours through point. The day ended with Australia at 65 for no loss. They led England by a massive 224 runs.

Earlier, the day began with Australia at 273 for eight. Harris (9) and Brad Haddin (94) were the wickets to fall. England entered lunch at 55 for two after Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott were dismissed by Harris and Johnson respectively.

Michael Carberry and Kevin Pietersen looked to take for England, but Australia struck just before the lunch interval. Pietersen was dismissed by Harris as he flicked a length ball to George Bailey.

The evening session was Australia’s and saw wickets galore. Johnson was the chief wrecker as he intimidated the England middle and lower-order with pace. He dismissed Carberry for 40. Lyon then took two wickets in two balls as Ian Bell (5) and Matt Prior (0) fell by edging to Steven Smith each.

Johnson then dismissed Joe Root (2) and Graeme Swann (0) before Harris came back to get Tremlett out for eight. Broad was the last wicket to fall for England.

Brief scores:

Australia 295 (David Warner 49, Brad Haddin 94, Mitchell Johnson 64; Stuart Broad 6 for 81) and 65 for no loss (Chris Rogers 15*, David Warner 45*) lead England 136 (Michael Carberry 40, Stuart Broad 32; Mitchell Johnson 4 for 61, Ryan Harris 3 for 28) by 224 runs.

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(Shrikant Shankar is a writer/reporter at CricketCountry.com. Previously he has done audio commentary for various matches involving India, Indian Premier League and Champions League Twenty20 for ESPNSTAR.com. You can follow him on Twitter @Shrikant_23)