Chris Rogers maiden test match century kept Australia on top after the second day at Durham. Australia were in some trouble before him and Shane Watson came together and put on 129 for the fifth wicket. Australia closed on 222/5 just 16 runs behind England, with still 5 first innings wickets in hand. Stuart Broad kept England in the game early on, taking 4 wickets on the day, but James Anderson was well below his best, perhaps supporting evidence that he should have been rested ahead of a tough winter schedule. Conditions on day 2 would have been much more favourable for Graham Onions, supporting the case that he should have played in his home test instead.
The day started with Australia taking the final England wicket, without the hosts adding another run to the score, Jackson Bird knocking James Anderson's stumps over in the second over of the day. Conditions at the start of the second day were much more seam friendly, with the ball moving around much more off of the pitch. England started well getting the wicket of David Warner, Stuart Broad getting one to come back in at Warner's stumps with the left hander unsure whether to play or leave, as his off-stump was knocked over. Usman Khawaja was the next to go for 0, getting a bottom edge that just carried through to Prior. Broad's magical spell continued as he took his 3rd wicket, that of the skipper Michael Clarke. Clarke had a big drive at a Broad delivery outside the off-stump, but only getting an edge that went to Alastair Cook at first slip.
Just after lunch Steven Smith, got a thin edge off of Tim Bresnan, that went to Prior, giving England their fourth wicket, leaving the tourists 76/4. Shane Watson and Chris Rogers rebuilt for Australia, seeing off a very tricky period of play before they put on a very handy partnership of 129 for Australia. Shane Watson had got his first half-century of the series, getting to 68 before he Prior made a fantastic catch down the leg-side, to give Stuart Broad his fourth wicket and England the vital breakthrough. Chris Rogers then got to his century after some very nervous moments on 96 against Graeme Swann, before he swept the off-spinner for 4, much to the relief of himself and all of the Australians in the crowd and on the Australian dressing room balcony. He was on 101* and Brad Haddin on 12* as bad light brought the day to a premature close, with Australia now only 16 runs behind England's 1st innings total.
Looking ahead to tomorrow, the first hour will once again be crucial, with new ball only 5.2 overs away. England will want to get Rogers and Haddin early and then clean up the tail, before they cause any major damage. Meanwhile, Australia will want to pass England's total early and build a lead of around 100 runs, which would be a very substantial one on this pitch I feel, if they could get there.
It should be another gripping day of Ashes Cricket, and one that will be key in deciding the winner of this test match. I look forward to reporting on it tomorrow.
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