Mitchell Johnson
Day 2 of the final match of the ashes series between England and Australia at the SCG began with the Australia’s continuing their first innings. Michale Hussey was the man who Australia was praying would save them. Sadly for them this was not his day.
Michael Hussey was always going to find it difficult to bat in the pitch which was more conducive to bowlers and boundaries were going to be difficult to come by, but that is the whole point of a test match, to test a batsman in all situations. Paul Collingwood rattled Hussey in a terrific over and ultimately got him when he had just managed to make 33 runs of 92 balls.
Mitchell Johnson seems to be the only Aussie left on the side who is actually fighting with all his strength to salvage some respect for his team. He is responsible for the bowling and now also the bating.
He played a brilliant knock of 53 runs of 66 balls which was the best individual score in the Australian first innings.
It was all the bowlers who were batting well today, they were probably trying to make as much as they good so that they could defend it later on. Ben Hilfenhaus made 34runs of 58 balls before he was dismissed by James Anderson, whose form has been fabulous in this series. So Australia’s first innings score is 280runs.
On the England side however Day 2 was dominated by James Anderson. He seems to be doing splendidly, perhaps the fact he has his second born a few days prior to the 5th test has given him more pep and emotion.
He has taken a total of 4 wickets in the 1st innings that of, Brad Haddin on 6, Steven Smith on 18, Peter Siddle on 2 and Ben Hilfenhaus on 34.
Tim Bresnan took 3 wickets, two of which were on day 1 and one on day 2 that of the seemingly dangerous one man army, Mitchell Johnson.
The England 1st innings started off with the openers providing a good start, Alastair Cook (aka Cookie) not out on 61 at the end of day 2 and skipper Andrew Strauss who made a quick fire 60 of 58 balls before he was dismissed by Ben Hilfenhaus.
Surprisingly Jonathan Trott who has been in excellent form throughout the series couldn’t open an account today was dismissed cheaply by Mitchell Johnson.
Kevin Pietersen looked to settle down finally after having a moody series, luckily for him his side has not really required much of a contributing from him in the previous matches, but today he made 36 runs of 70 balls and his wicket was taken by Mitchell Johnson who could do no wrong today.
So day 2 ends with Alastair Cook on 61 and night watchman James Anderson on 1. England has a wide variety waiting to come to bat but surely they will be hoping they don’t have to make an appearance.
England at the end of day 2 finish at 167 runs in 48 over’s with the loss of 3 wickets. With an opener still there to steady the ship hopefully England will end with a good fighting total.
Tags: Ashes Series, Ashes Test, Australia, Cricket, England, Jonathan Trott, Mitchell Johnson, SCG, Sydney, Tim Bresnan, Usman Khawaja
