The Ashes / Andy Morris / 05 January 2011 / Leave a comment Bet Now View Market

The second day of the Ashes brought some relief to Australia after the tail end held their own and our bowlers took a few English batting scalps, but Andy Morris still thinks the game could go either way.

A late-order partnership and wicket for Australia would have given them some hope at the end of the second day's play in the fifth Ashes Test match at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

However, one gets the feeling that the English side is well and truly on top and unless the Australian bowlers can bounce back and get England out without conceding too much of a lead, the visitors may be on their way to another win.

Resuming on their overnight total of 134/4, Australia needed their last recognised batting pair of Michael Hussey and Brad Haddin to go on and get a big one. Unfortunately for the hosts, Haddin scored only six before James Anderson got him to edge the ball, while the Hussey-Steven Smith stand realised 28 runs when the former was bowled by Paul Collingwood.

Smith and Siddle followed soon after to Anderson and, at 189/8, it looked all over for Australia. It was here that the pair of Mitchell Johnson and Ben Hilfenhaus fought back strongly to add 76 for the ninth wicket. Johnson was at his aggressive best and took full toll of Andrew Strauss' decision to push the fielders back. He made 53 while Hilfenhaus scored 34.

Australia ended their innings at 280, which would have given them some hope. Anderson picked up four.

In reply, England began with a hectic 98-run first wicket stand between Strauss and Alastair Cook. Strauss made a 58-ball 61 before being bowled by Hilfenhaus, while Jonathon Trott was dismissed for his first ever duck in a Test. Pietersen's innings of 36 and his subsequent dismissal propped the English side up to 167/3 and with Cook still at the crease on 61, they will back themselves to get to around 400.

However, there is enough in the track to suggest the batting may not be as easy as it was in some of the previous games for England. Strauss' innings was a clear aberration and even the usually aggressive Pietersen took 70 balls for his knock. If Michael Beer can get some to turn from outside the rough and some to straighten, things could get interesting given that the tourists bat last on the track.

On the contrary, if England can bat through two sessions on the third day for the loss of not more than two or three wickets, they will be right on top and the current odds of 1.87 for their win would shorten even further.