Déjà vu: Alastair Cook’s Century Propels England into the Lead Once More

By Sreelata S. Yellamrazu

  Australia would have been hoping that the damage of day one of the second Test of the Ashes 2010 at the Adelaide Oval would not matter by stumps on the second day. However, Alastair Cook is quickly developing into Australia’s nemesis as England are setting the agenda and Australia do not seem to have a say in the matters.

   After being shot out for 245, Australia’s best bet lay in their ability to restrict England. However, that was easier said than done, even with Australia ringing in the changes from Brisbane in dropping Mitchell Johnson and Ben Hilfenhaus for Doug Bollinger and Ryan Harris.

       Standing in the way of Australia trying to crawl their way back into the Test was none other than the double Test century man who put the Gabba on the map of Ashes 2010, for all the wrong reasons as far as Australia were concerned. And keeping him company at the end of the day was another man who Australia hoped would be kept down by form and criticism. But Australia simply did not have the luck.

        Australia would have been happy to see the back of the England captain, Alastair Cook, but their hopes faded away as Cook and Jonathan Trott forged a solid second wicket partnership worth a mammoth 173 run partnership. And Australia began to wilt under the sun as Cook continued on his confident streak, on his way to another Test century. Trott himself did not hold back, playing for opportunity and being rewarded rather timely. To that end, Trott’s seventy-eight was worth more than it looks.

      Even when Australia did eventually manage to get their second wicket of the day through Harris, Kevin Pietersen stood in their way and Cook began to enjoy the partnership that bloomed between them. From creating the foundation to thriving on it, England had a near perfect day built on a couple of benevolent opportunities in the morning. Pietersen was in a mood to show Australia and his critics he meant business but with pleasure as thirteen boundaries studded his unbeaten eighty-five run knock.

      At the end of the day, plausibly both teams were happy to see out the second day – England to rest after a great day’s work that saw them on two down for 317 and  72 runs ahead while Australia will have use the opportunity to reassess their situation because a change of personnel has certainly not changed their bowling fortunes. (Wonder if Mitchell Johnson is having a sly smile and secret chuckle!)