Tag Ashes 2010-11

England v Australia test head to head is one long list few may struggle to absorb but to summarize facts ~ today british team achieved their 100th victory over arch rival Aussies, taking 1-0 lead towards an Ashes series win in OZ they haven't managed since 1987..

Scorecard : 2nd Ashes test 2010.

It was a one sided test match if I may say so, except the toss that went in home team's favour but visitors arrested initiative soon through Jonathan Trott's direct hit to runout Simon Katich for a diamond duck (batsman out without facing a ball) and then on-song James Anderson ate up Ricky Ponting (playing his 150th test) first ball with a beautiful outswinger. 2 wkts down when no run on board, Michael Clarke edged a lollypop to Graeme Swann at wide slip to make scoreboard uglier before the rear guard action came from Michael Hussey and Shane Watson. 94 runs between the two, Aussies were about to bring the match at balance but Anderson's return spell after lunch separated them and opened the floodgates. Out of form Marcus North disappointed once again but star pair of previous match, Brad Haddin and Hussey, collected 51 nice runs to take their team past 200 run mark. Graeme Swann claimed Hussey and Ryan Harris off consecutive balls and Anderson removed Siddle from other end to finish Australia's first innings 4 overs before close of play.

At end of play on day 1, England negotiated one over, making a leg-by but come day 2, Adelaide Oval pitch had settled down and ball was coming perfect onto the bat. Alastair cook, losing his captain and opening pair Andrew Strauss 3rd ball of second day, took upon himself to set the platform for a major first innings and young Jonathan Trott collaborated with him very well, adding 173 good runs. Cook made his back to back century to finish the day for England 72 runs in front.

Kevin Pietersen arrived to the crease like he took inspiration from about 30 thousand locals booing him as he not only raised his half century off 77 balls and then century from 158 balls but even stretched it to 150 off 210 balls and then double century off 283 balls. Pietersen ~ flicking, lofting, driving, pulling, defending and even walking upto fast bowlers in arrogance, got past his best test score and soon 300 run lead was raised, asserting the fact that England were at drivers seat in this Adelaide test match.

England went for some quick runs early on day 4, taking their lead to 375 before declaring and asking home team to bat out over 5 sessions to save the test match. Shane Watson and Simon Katich's opening stand of 84 raised hopes for a dramatic comeback but it wasn't to be, with offspinner Graeme Swann dismissing Katich and opposition captain Ricky Ponting in space of 3 overs. Watson once again failed to convert his half century into a big score but fighter Michael Hussey had found Michael Clarke willing to hang around with him. 104 runs between the two, English captain took a chance with Kevin Pietersen bowling couple of overs before close of play and surprize, man with golden arm got one delivery to bounce and Michael Clarke was out in the last over of the day for the fourth time in his career. leaving his team in dire straits.

It took England just 87 minutes to wrap up remaning 6 wickets, despite being a bowler short as Struart Broad couldn't bowl. Ryan Harris was out first ball yet again, making his career's first king pair. Graeme Swann took his 10th five wicket haul, 1st vs Australia.

After 62 tests : did England beat Australia by an innings. In between, English suffered innings defeat at the hands of Australia no less than 10 times.