Published: Aug 22, 2013, 05:21 PM (IST)
Edited: Aug 22, 2013, 05:21 PM (IST)
The umpires called for an early lunch after rain washed out the morning session’s play © Getty Images
By Shrikant Shankar
Aug 22, 2013
Rain washed out the entire morning session on Day Two of the fifth Ashes 2013 Test at The Oval. Persistent rain first delayed the start and then failed to cease as an early lunch was taken to avoid losing more time.
Australia finished Day One at 307 for four after having elected to bat first on a flat track. Shane Watson top-scored with a magnificent 176 off 247 balls coming in at No 3. This was his third century in Test cricket and his first in an Ashes series. His innings consisted of 25 fours and one six. He was dismissed with just two overs left in the day.
Steven Smith gave give good support with a partnership worth 145 runs. Smith is unbeaten on 66 and along with nightwatchman Peter Siddle batting on 18. David Warner (6) fell early to James Anderson. He edged a full delivery to wicketkeeper Matt Prior. Chris Rogers (23) was dismissed by Graeme Swann. He edged a spinning delivery to Jonathan Trott. Michael Clarke (7) was bowled by Anderson.
Watson hooked a bouncer from Stuart Broad to Kevin Pietersen at deep backward square-leg.
Australia handed a debut to James Faulkner and brought in Mitchell Starc to replace Usman Khawaja and Jackson Bird. England brought in Chris Woakes and Simon Kerrigan to give them their Tests debuts. They replaced the injured Tim Bresnan and Jonny Bairstow.
Brief scores:
Australia 307 for 4 (Shane Watson 176, Steven Smith 66*; James Anderson 2 for 52) vs England.
(Shrikant Shankar previously worked with Mobile ESPN, where he did audio commentary for many matches involving India, Indian Premier League and Champions League Twenty20. He has also written many articles involving other sports for ESPNSTAR.com. You can follow him on Twitter @Shrikant_23)
