It has happened again. Down 1-0 after a first-Test
thrashing, England have been revived for the second
Ashes series in a row by batting first in the next
match
Peter English at Adelaide02-Dec-2006Australia 1 for 28 (Ponting 11*, Hayden 12*) trail England 6 for 551d (Collingwood 206, Pietersen 158) by 523 runs
Scorecard and ball-by-ball commentary
How they were out – England
How they were out – Australia
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It has happened again. Down 1-0 after a first-Test
thrashing, England have been revived for the second
Ashes series in a row by batting first in the next
match. Through brilliant returns from Paul Collingwood
and Kevin Pietersen they grabbed the momentum from
Australia, posted 6 for 551 and promptly declared in
five-star luxury. The series gained further life when
Justin Langer edged Andrew Flintoff, who decided to
open the bowling, and the home side were 1 for 28 at
stumps.Collingwood clipped a superb 206 and Pietersen backed
him up with a sensible 158 as England enjoyed another
wildly successful day on a pitch offering nothing
encouraging to the fast bowlers. Together they etched
themselves into Ashes history with England’s highest
fourth-wicket stand against Australia, passing the 288
of Nasser Hussain and Graham Thorpe at Edgbaston in
1997.Individually they coped well with Australia’s
persistent tinkering in the field, the attempts at
regular containment and Shane Warne and Stuart Clark,
the biggest dangers in an ineffective attack.
Collingwood closed a 70-year double-century drought
for England Down Under when he became the first since
Wally Hammond to achieve the milestone. It was an
outstanding all-round innings that has sealed his spot
at No. 4. Pietersen has been criticised for sitting a
spot lower in the order but the move has worked
spectacularly in this game.The top four blunted Australia and then Pietersen and
Collingwood were allowed to capitalise, driving their
side into a position that was unthinkable for even the
most positive England supporter over the past week.
They narrowly avoided going three sessions without
Australia’s hyped attack taking a wicket and the
chilly wind that blew between lunch and tea was more
biting than Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee.It took an edge from Clark, who was easily the leading
fast man with 3 for 75, to end Collingwood’s stay of
392 balls and signal the tea break. India have
punished Australia at home like this recently, but
only occasionally do they allow themselves to be
treated so badly in their own conditions.Adelaide is not Warne’s favourite ground and he has
never given up as many runs against England as his 1
for 167. Struck for centuries in consecutive innings
by opponents who usually shake whenever he flicks his
wrist, he has started to look like a 37-year-old
instead of a vibrant 20-something. Spin has been great
but slow and his first wicket didn’t come until his
47th over. He barely acknowledged it.Age is also telling for McGrath and his left heel. He
was on and off the field in the opening session for boot treatment and was belted for three fours by Pietersen
in his first over of the morning. Clark was preferred
to start proceedings and McGrath was only called for a
three-over spell. He delivered 12 in the day, most at
a speed in the mid-120s, and the decision to pass
himself fit is in the process of back firing.
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England have no such concerns thanks to the 310-run
partnership between Collingwood and Pietersen that
rattled at 3.68 an over. Collingwood’s century arrived
from his second ball this morning and he was measured
in the first session before outscoring Pietersen by 27
runs in the second.The most spectacular of his 16 fours were lofted
drives to bring up his 150 and 200 as he corrected his
error on 96 in Brisbane. Warne was the first to watch
the ball sail over his head while Michael Clarke was
the victim when Collingwood joined Hammond and RE
Foster as the only Englishmen to score
double-centuries in Australia.Until his dismissal Collingwood came closest to losing
his wicket on 109 when Michael Hussey had a chance at
a direct hit and missed. As Collingwood walked
following his edge 97 runs later Pietersen ran over to
his team-mate to join the loud applause and the Barmy
Army sang his name.Australia had shut down Pietersen by employing Warne
around the wicket, sometimes with five men on the
legside, but he was happy to let the ball thud into
his pads and occasionally used his feet to attack
half-volleys. Lee was hammered by Pietersen on a
couple of memorable occasions; one thumping straight
drive was just out of the bowler’s reach and a fine
hook shot sped to the short square boundary. However,
Lee was convinced Pietersen nicked him on his
overnight score of 60, but Steve Bucknor ruled not out
and was supported by the technology.A quick single from Clark brought up Pietersen’s
second century against Australia and his double-arm
raise paid particular attention to his fiancée and
Liberty X singer Jessica Taylor, who was standing and
smiling in the Sir Edwin Smith stand. A similar
attempt at a run caused his downfall when Ponting under-armed sharply from midwicket. By then England’s
grip on the match was as secure as Pietersen’s bear
hugs of Collingwood.
Short cuts
Shot of the day
Paul Collingwood’s lofted four over the head of Shane
Warne to bring up his 150. He tried a similar shot in
Brisbane last week and failed, but stayed true to his
aggressive instincts and was rewarded.Highlight of the day
Collingwood again. His double-century was only the
fifth by an Englishman in Australia. Wally Hammond
scored three, the last in 1936-37, and RE Foster’s 287
came in 1903-04.Partnership of the day
Collingwood and Pietersen gave Justin Langer and
Matthew Hayden a target to aim for this summer for the
most hugs in a liaison. There was a lot of love on the
oval as they produced the highest fourth-wicket
partnership for England against Australia.Surprise of the day
Bored of Pietersen and
Warne’s battle, the Boony Army tried to start a
Mexican Wave in the middle session, but the Barmy Army
were gripped by the action and refused to have
anything to do with it. How times change.Wave of the day
Glenn McGrath has never given up as many runs without
a wicket as his 107 in this innings, but the
performance did not steal all of his humour. When the
Barmy Army cheered his century McGrath gave a thumbs
up as he walked back to his mark.
