Ashes 2002/3 | Australia v England 2nd Test | Adelaide

Australia v England Adelaide Oval 2nd Test match 21st - 26th Nov 2002 (5-day match)

Result: Australia Won by an innings and 51 runs

Umpires : SA Bucknor (WI) and RE Koertzen (SA)

Match Reports : Day 1; Day 2; Day 3; Day 4

Toss: England

Close of Play:

Day 1:England 295/4 (Butcher 22*; 89.3 overs)

Day 2:England 342, Australia 247/2 (Ponting 83*, Martyn 48*; 64 overs)

Day 3: Australia 552/9d, England 36/3 (Vaughan 17*; 11.2 overs)

Morning Session Report Day 3

Australia began the first session of the third day 95 runs behind with eight wickets in hand and went into lunch only one run behind England first innings total without losing any wickets.

It was a very subdued performance from Australia this morning. Both Ponting and Martyn preferring to steadily guide the home side towards England's mediocre total, rather than the swashbuckling style we have become so used to in recent matches.

That said; the England bowlers bowled tighter today, especially Caddick who's seven overs went for only 16 runs. Caddick is the subject of much speculation as to why the Somerset bowler only performs when it is too late, nerves has been given as the main excuse but surely on this performance the bowler isn't up to the new ball challenge. This was proved when England finally took the new ball, Hussain preferring Hoggard and Harmison to the usual Caddick/Hoggard combination.

In his carefully crafted innings of 133 not out at lunch, Ponting hit only four boundaries while reaching his 14th Test century, a sign that he was prepared not to rush his way to three figures. Martyn (83 not out) is proving a very strong partner to ponting and the pair have broken the long standing third wicket partnership of Morris and Hassett set back in 1947.

At lunch on day three with a record partnership of 227, Australia are in a commanding position on a wicket that is showing signs of uneven bounce and turn. If Australia can consolidate further in the afternoon session and carve out a lead in excess of 150 runs, it may prove a very interesting fourth and fifth day in Adelaide, weather permitting.

Afternoon Session Report Day 3

It was slow progress for Australia in the second session, thanks mainly to some tight bowling from all-rounder Craig White who took three wickets in the session.

Before White's introduction after lunch, Hussain preferred the services of Caddick and Harmison to the expected Dawson with only 12 overs until the new ball was available. Ponting and Martyn continued to punish the bowling but still not at the expected pace. It wasn't until Steve Waugh came in to bat that the run rate truly increased.

Martyn was the first to go when he fell five runs short of a deserved century, Harmison (his first Ashes wicket) and Hussain combining. Hussain standing at short fine leg took an easy catch after Martyn had gloved a ball down his leg side. The plan set by the England captain worked immediately, Martyn walked off the field to great applause.

Steve Waugh, normally a slow and ponderous starter took the attack to England. He looked in ominous form and was the Steve Waugh of old. Waugh's aggressiveness rubbed off on Ponting and the centurion became White's second victim after attempting to hook a short ball. He only succeeded in finding Dawson in the deep ending a superbly crafted knock of 154 when Australia were in trouble on day two.

Lehmann didn't last long. Playing in his first Test on his home ground, the South Australian captain fell to White for five runs after slashing at a wide ball from his brother in law. Flintoff subbing for Hussain (hand injury) in the slips obliged to send him back to the dressing room.

For the second time in consecutive innings, Adam Gilchrist got off the mark with an enormous six, White the unlucky bowler. White's third victim of the session was Australian captain Steve Waugh. Attempting to cut the ball, he only managed to find Mark Butcher who held on to a wonderful catch to his left. Waugh's quick fire knock of 39 off 35 deliveries was just what Australia needed.

Australia lead by 98 runs at tea at 6/440, losing four wickets for 99 runs in the session.

Evening Session Report Day 3

England have to look at themselves and wonder how they allowed the match to turn 180 after being in what should have been a match winning situation at the close on day 1. Whatever the reason, Australia have now taken a firm hold on the Test and indeed the series.

The tourists lost three quick wickets in the final session including a final ball wicket to Bichel who dismissed Hussain with only his second delivery of the innings. It was the second time in the match that Bichel's wicket closed England's innings prematurely for the day.

After Australia declared on 9 for 552 with a lead of 210, England lost three wickets for only 36 runs, Trescothick, Butcher and Hussain all back in a disconsolate dressing room.

Closing Australia's innings, 112 runs were added for the final three wickets, Gilchrist (54), Warne (25) and Bichel (48) sharing the runs. Bichel who has been head to head with Brett Lee hit his highest Test score and together with a competent bowling performance has certainly cemented his position in the series.

Caddick doesn't look good and has looked very ordinary in both matches, if England had other options his place would be in jeopardy. White and Harmison were the pick of the bowlers and Dawson deserves a creditable mention for a solid performance.

Trescothick in reply, fell leg before to Jason Gillespie without scoring when the total was on five. It was the seventh time Gillespie has had the measure of Trescothick and it gave him his 50th wicket in Australia.

Glenn McGrath joined the celebrations when he had Butcher trapped leg before for four runs. Fresh from his great cameo innings in the first innings, Bichel was brought on in an inspired bowling change to bowl the final over of the day. It was only to last two balls as the 'all rounder' bowled Hussain for 10.

England are in dire straits and only the forecast rain can save them now.

Back to Ashes 2002/3 Home

334notout.com blog: Deep Fine Leg - Latest Posts