After Cook, It's KP's Turn to Turn the Ashes On Its Head; Keep Australia on their Toes

by Sreelata S. Yellamrazu

      Revenge would not have tasted sweeter than this. England have done to Australia at the Adelaide Oval what Australia did to them at the Gabba in Brisbane. The difference perhaps is that Australia will only be able to do what England did - fight for a draw - by relying on the weather Gods.

     It would be an understatement to say that the second Test of the Ashes 2010 has shaped up rather nicely for the visitors. After toughing it out for a draw on the remarkable defiance of Alastair Cook, England began where they left off, with Cook leading the way once more with a creditable 148 to go with his Test double century at the Gabba.

      This time England had two monumental partnerships, both in the region of 175 runs, that buried Australia who disappointed by only scoring 245 in their first innings. The partnership saw Jonathan Trott pick up well deserved runs, Cook with his growing glory. But the show stealer thus far has been Kevin Pietersen, the man who has been targetted with a vengeance much like Cook, before the start of the Ashes.

      In a situation where England could themselves stand on a precipice or build themselves a fortress, KP helped do the latter by scoring his own Test double century as Ricky Ponting and his men began to cower under the pressure. Rain and light interruptions failed to deny Australia the punishment they were going to get for lapses in the field as England declared rather handsomely on 620 for four.

       With Australia having to go almost exactly what England had to go at the Gabba - fight for the better part of two days for a draw - but with  more runs for pressure, Australia would have thought they had come through the severe part of the examination after lunch when Graeme Swann picked up a couple of wickets. However, it was the last ball of the day that brought immense drama and excitement, long enough to keep the pages rolling even after the sun set at the Adelaide Oval.

      Michael Clarke has had time to deliberate on his decision to stay put and be eventually declared out on a UDRS decision that benefitted the inspired "Allrounder" (in Swann's words) but Kevin Pietersen would feel that even the wicket of Clarke, batting on eighty in a century stand with Michael Hussey, was a vindication of his authority on the match, one he would certainly think deserves to be won by England, the forces of nature permitting.

      (Guess who took the catch at short leg? Alastair Cook)