High: 29°C | Low: 18°C		Wind: SW at 9 km/h, Humidity: 79%
Match	Australia v England	-	Date	1st - 5th December, 2006
Match Type	2nd 3 Mobile Test Match	-	Umpires	Bucknor, SA (WIN), Koertzen, RE (SAF)
Toss	England	-	Decision	Bat
Result	Day 5 - Australia Won by 6 Wickets	-	Venue	Adelaide Oval  - Scorecard
England	1st Inns: 6/551 Dec (Collingwood 206)	-	2nd Inns:	129 All Out (Warne 4/49)
Australia	1st Inns: 1st Inns: 5/312 (Ponting 142)	-	2nd Inns:	4/168 (Hussey 61*)

Day 1

With both teams unchanged for this, the second of five 3 Mobile Test series, all eyes were on Ricky Ponting and Andrew Flintoff as they met in the middle to decide who would have the opportunity to bat first on a lovely batting strip. The honour fell to Flintoff and he had no hesitation in opting to bat on a slow batsman's paradise. The only doubts Australia had going into the match were Ponting and McGrath's fitness, both declaring themselves 100% fit.

Despite the easy batting conditions England's run rate was poor, scoring just 58 in 28 overs before lunch. Tight bowling from the four main bowlers helped but England showed little desire to attack with just two boundaries scored. It appeared that the batsmen were guilty of nerves taking the conservative approach with the knowledge that Australia have not scored less than 400 in the last seven Tests (first innings totals). It was crucial that they put on a big total ahead of Australia's response, England cannot afford to lose this Test and given the low scoring rate a draw is on the cards at the moment.

Clark who impressed against South Africa and again in Brisbane last week made the breakthrough accounting for both openers. Warne seemed to have the upper hand against Bell when he entered the attack beating the batsmen numerous times before lunch in his seven overs. Considering we are on day one, Warne was spinning the ball a prodigious amount.

McGrath despite declaring himself fit was bowling at a much reduced rate, rarely creeping above 80mph. In fact when the new ball was made available later in the afternoon session, McGrath was overlooked and Clark along with Lee shared the red Kookaburra.

Strauss was the first to fall when he gifted Clark his first wicket, Martyn taking the simple catch. It was a poor shot selection from Strauss who had taken time to play himself in. Cook who looked assured nicked a ball to Gilchrist and he departed for 27 shortly before lunch. Bell and Collingwood put on a well needed 113 run partnership before Bell, while attempting to score his third boundary in a Brett Lee over, only managed to hook the ball high into the sky and Leed took the straight-forward caught and bowled.

Pietersen as expected showed the most attacking flare of the day and together with Collingwood shared an unbeaten century stand before the close of play. Collingwood is just two runs short of a century and Pietersen is at the other end with 60 off 95 balls. Warne and Clark were the pick of the bowlers on day one but with a wicket offering nothing for the bowlers I would expect a first innings total in excess of 500 a minimum requirement. There's no doubt despite a low run rate England are well and truly in the box seat in Adelaide.

Day 2

A record 310 run partnership against Australia for the fourth wicket which included a magnificent double hundred by Collingwood helped push England forward on the second day. Collingwood, who became only the third England batsman to score 200 in Australia, together with Kevin Pietersen (158) turned the knife into a lacklustre bowling attack, devoid of ideas on a flat wicket.

The first two days have been a monumental turnaround in form for England, aided by a batsman's paradise and a concerted effort by the two centurions. At the close, England had reached 551 before declaring and in the nine overs available to them, Australia lost the wicket of Justin Langer. At 1 for 28, Australia are in a precarious position going into the third and crucial day.

Collingwood's marathon innings brought the first double century by an England batsman in Australia since Walter Hammond hit 231 not out in Sydney 70 years ago. The partnership between Collingwood and Pietersen eclipsed the 288 shared by Graham Thorpe and Nasser Hussain at Edgbaston in 1997 as the highest for the fourth wicket by England in Ashes contests.

The run rate was dire and a throwback to yesteryear when teams consistently failed to score 300 in a day until the arrival of the modern attacking style led by cavalier batsmen such as Gilchrist. The slow run rate yesterday was justified, eager to put Brisbane behind them England had no option but to build a solid foundation but with conditions in favour of the batting side they missed an opportunity to take Australia totally out of the game.

Warne looked out of sorts and rumoured to have a problem with his back and the heel problems hampering McGrath it was left to Clark and Lee to keep England at bay. McGrath conceded 100 runs without taking a wicket for the first time in his career and added to Australia's misery. McGrath shouldn't have been played, simple as that and I feel Australia will pay for leaving the decision to the paceman.

Flintoff showed little faith in Steve Harmison and opted to open the bowling with Hoggard. It proved a wise decision with Langer falling to a short pitched delivery, Pietersen who can't seem to stay out of the game at the moment obliging with a catch in the slips. Hayden and Ponting will hope to build on their form tomorrow and move Australia into a more secure position by the end of the day.

Day 3

It was honours even after today's play with both teams sharing the plaudits. For England it was most definitely Mathew Hoggard who's 4 for 76 kept Australia at bay for long periods and despite a good batting wicket, the England paceman applied tremendous pressure throughout and gained the rewards he deserved for a terrific line and length. Australia on the other hand were indebted to two men namely Ponting and Hussey who came together with the home side in a precarious position of 3 for 65.

Despite being dropped on 35, Ponting and Hussey gradually built a partnership, each milestone celebrated with a handshake. It wasn't until Hoggard shared the new ball with Flintoff that the 192 run partnership was broken when Ponting was caught behind for 142. Giles, the man who dropped a sitter at deep square leg, would have been relieved to see the back of the Australian captain, the miss costing the home side dearly.

Ponting who in recent times has been compared favourably to Sir Donald Bradman has done himself no harm with a scintillating 142 today and together with Mike “Mr Cricket” Hussey slowly but surely eat into England's mammoth total of 551. His hundred came just before the tea break in 183 deliveries, a cautious innings showing how difficult it was to score on a slow wicket. In scoring his 33rd Test hundred he moved ahead of Steve Waugh's 32 and only two behind Sachin Tendulkar at the top of the table.

Earlier in the day England continued to pressurise the home side with two early wickets, Hoggard the bowler in both occasions. Hayden fell to a Jones catch behind the wicket and Martyn who has looked below par this series fell to a catch in the gully, Ian Bell the recipient. When Ponting fell with the score on 257 the pressure was re applied and on 91 Hussey played on giving Hoggard his fourth victim of the day. It was left to Gilchrist and Clarke to see Australia to the close. Both batsmen looked comfortable in the 29 minutes they were together and will be confident to eke out the 39 runs required to avoid the follow on. If they can do, it may be possible to escape with a hard fought draw.

Day 4

The batsman's paradise continued this morning with Clarke and Gilchrist sharing in a 98 run partnership and the result was that Australia had avoided the follow on without losing a wicket. It was a tentative start from both batsmen with the England bowlers intent on attacking Gilchrist round the wicket.

When Gilchrist did fall in the deep for a superb return to form 64, it was remarkably enough his highest knock at the Adelaide Oval and his highest Ashes score in four years. Michael Clarke who is playing for his Test career was at his best, intent on defending his wicket to Gilchrist's cavalier approach towards the end of his knock. At lunch Australia were 134 runs behind with four wickets standing. With Warne's arrival the sledging began and with a clever piece of captaincy from Flintoff, he brought on Pietersen to bowl before lunch.

The mood has certainly changed since last summer's friendly approach and the competitiveness is there for all to see. Flintoff is yet again flouting the rules with the use of substitute fielders as an when England seem fit. Clearly seen sitting talking to Fletcher for five minutes during the morning session isn't on.

Hoggard's return of 7-109 took him past Darren Gough's career wicket total of 229 - gained in 58 matches to Hoggard's 60 - and just three behind Andy Caddick's 234. On this kind of form he is certain to pass Caddick's 234 before the end of the series.

Warne and Clarke added a century partnership and before Warne became the seventh wicket to fall, trapped leg before by Hoggard, he saw his friend and team mate reach a controlled century. Given that he was given a lifeline following Watson's injury he has surely cemented his place in the side ahead of Martyn who is struggling with form at the present time. It was Clarke's first century in two years and 19 Test matches.

Hoggard found reverse swing with the ageing ball and ripped through the tail claiming seven wickets in a wonderful effort. Anderson chipped in with the final wicket of the Australian innings, Jones taking the catch behind the wicket sending McGrath back to the change rooms for one. Lee remained not out.

In reply England lost just the one wicket, Cook falling to Clark for nine. Warne bowled well in the five overs he had at the end and found enough spin from the rough to cause England concern ahead of tomorrow's final day. England's main concern will be the fitness of captain Flintoff who could only bowl four overs during the day due to a problem with his ankle.

Day 5

The morning session saw England struggle to come to terms with Shane Warne and a slow pitch and with the loss of four wickets for 30 runs in the two hours are just 127 runs ahead with five wickets remaining. Warne was at his best orchestrating the attack with a prodigious amount of spin both on the track and in the rough.

Strauss was the first to fall although he was unlucky to have been given out, Bucknor deemed the opening bat had touched the ball but replays clearly showed it had only hit pad. The wicket opened the floodgates with Bell guilty of ball watching and Clarke and Warne teamed up to run the number three out. He had played and missed a few times during his innings but in all had looked assured against Warne.

Pietersen came and went, Warne bowling his country team-mate when he attempted an ill advised sweep. The ball pitched outside leg and hit the outside of off stump, a classic Warne delivery. McGrath wasn't used at all during the session and when Lee replaced the steady Clark he wasted no time in having Flintoff caught for 2, four wickets falling for just eight runs. Collingwood and Jones survived the remainder of the session and at lunch England are 5 for 89. Warne bowled unchanged throughout the session.

Things didn't improve following lunch when three wickets fell for just 16 runs. Jones was the first to go when he played a rash shot to a wide delivery from Brett Lee. Lee, bowling with a great deal of composure and speed was the perfect partner to Warne's guile at the other end. The Victorian who bowled unchanged throughout the innings then accounted for Giles who had no answer to a spinning delivery that pitched outside leg stump. Hoggard was the eighth wicket to fall when Warne bowled the only googlie of the innings, tempting the batsmen to a wide delivery it took an inside edge and took out middle stump. Warne had been bowling leg break after leg break and the change in delivery bamboozled Hoggard.

Ponting brought McGrath back into the attack and it soon paid dividends when he trapped Harmison in front for just eight runs. It appeared to be a good decision in real time but once again television replays suggested the ball was heading well over the stumps. Anderson and Collingwood showed some resistance and the number 11 lasted 41 minutes for his one run before he was the final wicket to fall, McGrath clearing up.

Australia wasted no time at all in attacking England, indeed 10 runs coming off Hoggard's first over and it set the tone for the entire run chase. Giles looked inept and didn't bowl to the conditions straying more towards off and not using the rough which would have made the run chase a good deal harder. Langer fell to Hoggard for just seven runs and when Hayden fell to Flintoff with the score on 33 the result hung in the balance.

Ponting, fresh from his century in the first innings continued his rich vein of form with a classy 49 before he fell to Giles who didn't deserve a wicket today. The 83 run partnership with Hussey sealed the game for Australia and despite Martyn falling for four runs Australia won the Test by six wickets.

Summary

Ponting was named man of the match for his two innings. It's hard to believe that following Collingwood's double century in the first innings that the Englishman didn't get the award but such was the sudden turnaround in this Test it was inevitable. Warne is back to his best and has shown England and Fletcher (if he was watching) that they need an attacking spinner and one who can spin the ball. Fletcher made the cardinal error by not picking Panesar for this Test and it will be interesting to see if he is chosen for Perth. Australia were lucky with the win, a huge mistake going into the Test with just four bowlers but thanks mainly to Shane Warne in the second innings and covering fire from Lee and McGrath, Australia romped home to take a 2-0 lead. England lost nine wickets for 70 runs in 43 overs, it simply wasn't good enough Only once in Test match history has a team fought back from 2-0 to win the Ashes series.

Australia

RT Ponting, SR Clark, MJ Clarke, AC Gilchrist, ML Hayden, MEK Hussey, JL Langer, B Lee, GD McGrath, DR Martyn, SK Warne

England

A Flintoff, AJ Strauss, JM Anderson, IR Bell, PD Collingwood, AN Cook, AF Giles, SJ Harmison, MJ Hoggard, GO Jones, KP Pietersen