Ashes 2013-14: Brad Haddin’s ton propels Australia to 516/8 at tea on Day 2 of 2nd Test

By Shrikant Shankar

 

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Dec 6, 2013

Brad Haddin was unbeaten on 108 as Australia were at 516 for eight at tea on Day Two of the second Ashes 2013-14 Test at the Adelaide Oval. Michael Clarke was dismissed for 148 in the afternoon session on Friday. Ryan Harris is batting on 29.

The session began with Australia’s score at 389 for five. England conceded 116 runs in the morning session and could not take a single wicket. They had chances, but their fielding throughout the match has been quite poor. Their response was better as the bowling was quite accurate in the first few overs in the afternoon session.

The pressure lifted slightly as James Anderson drifted one a bit on the pads and Clarke hit it straight back past him to get a four down the ground. Stuart Broad bowled a length delivery outside off-stump and Clarke hit a lofted shot over wide mid-off for a four.

Monty Panesar then bowled one spinning slightly outside off-stump and Clarke charged down the ground and played a lofted inside-out shot for a four towards wide long-off. Haddin picked up the pace as he paddle swept a full delivery from Panesar for a four towards fine-leg.

Broad came in from round the wicket to change the angle, but Clarke was in the fine form and he opened the face of the bat and guided a length delivery for a four in the third-man region.

Haddin then employed the slog-sweep to very good effect. He got a four and a six off consecutive Panesar deliveries towards deep mid-wicket. There was a chance for a run-out as Haddin played a late cut to short third-man off Panesar. Michael Carberry was very quick to pick up the ball and throw it at the non-striker’s end.

The throw lacked in a bit of power and that allowed Clarke to make his ground before Panesar could whip off the bails. Clarke then danced down the track to Graeme Swann and hit one on the up towards wide mid-off. Broad was positioned there, but he let the ball go beneath him for a four.

Haddin wasn’t done with his slog-sweeping as he carted Swann for another six. Clarke finally departed giving a sigh of relief to the England team. Stokes bowled one on the pads and the ball just stopped a little on Clarke. He tried to work it away on the leg side, but the ball lobbed up in the air off a thick top-edge and Anderson took a good catch diving forward at short mid-wicket.

The whole Adelaide Oval crowd applaud a brilliant innings from Clarke. The partnership with Haddin was worth 200 runs for the sixth wicket. Haddin then struck three fours quickly to get closer to a century. Swann got another wicket as Mitchell Johnson mistimed a lofted on-drive straight to Broad at mid-on.

Haddin pulled a back of a length delivery from Stokes and got a four in front of square on the leg side to reach his century. That was his fourth Test century and third against England.

Peter Siddle was fell quickly as he edged one from Stokes to Matt Prior behind the wickets. Harris came into the middle and struck three fours and two sixes to get Australia’s score past the 500-run mark. Tea was taken and Australia are in a commanding position.

Brief scores:

Australia 516 for 8 (Chris Rogers 72, Shane Watson 51, Michael Clarke 148, George Bailey 53, Brad Haddin 108*; Ben Stokes 2 for 70) vs England.

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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)