Rain may mean that the final test between England and Australia ends up in a draw but England won’t mind too much. It will mean a series win Down Under for what feels like the first time since Queen Victoria graced us with her presence. A win feels so much better than a draw as well. It’s all sound and good retaining the Ashes but wouldn’t it be better to say we actually won the thing?
The second day of the final test in Sydney saw England come out slightly on top over Australia in one of the more exciting day’s cricket that we’ve seen from both sides in the series.
The hosts started the day on 134-4 and ended up putting on another 146 before being skittled by England’s pace attack, Mitchell Johnson hitting 53 to give the total of 280 a much better look. England’s reply started off with a familiar air as they reached 98 without loss, before Ben Hilfenhaus and Johnson dismissed captain Andrew Strauss and Jonathan Trott in quick succession to give the match a more competitive edge.
Thankfully Alastair Cook is still taking enough time out from his time as part of the Olde English Gentry to continue his excellent form with the bat, ending the day on 61 not out. Kevin Pietersen’s dismissal near to the close for 36 took some gloss off the day for England, but Cook and night watchman James Anderson batted until the close with England on 167-3.
The Aussie bookmaker who paid out on an England series victory will be praying that the Aussies don’t end up victors in this test if only to save some face. England look as though they are going for the jugular, and one thing’s already for sure – the public Down Under won’t be getting their free beer after all.
