England Take the Second Ashes Test

England took a commanding lead in the Ashes series in Adelaide winning the second test by an innings and 71 runs. A combination of a poor first innings score of 245 all out and an imperious 620 for five declared and Pietersen’s contribution of a world-class 227 runs led to the English victory. 

The only hope of Australia salvaging a draw lay in the hands of the weather and that did not materialise to give them the result they wanted. Instead a lovely warm sunny morning greeted the Australian batsmen when they emerged first thing. 

There was a brief period of defiance by the Australians but the fall of Michael Hussey’s wicket in the sixth over of the day saw a rapid collapse and the Australians were all bowled out for 304 runs. Brad Haddin was the only player to make any real effort on the last day, scoring 52 but it was all a little too late. 

Bookmakers must now be thinking of increasing the odds in England’s favour as the Australians now need to win all three of the remaining tests to stand any chance of recapturing the Ashes trophy. Their next chance will come in Perth in a week’s time when they have to produce some of the form they showed in the opening innings of the first test if they are to take the series. 

Currently the bookmakers’ odds of that happening are being given as 9/4, with a draw at 15/8 and England winning in Perth at betting odds of 7/5.