Ashes 2nd Test at Adelaide, Day 2: Clarke, Haddin centuries put Australia in control

A fired-up Mitchell Johnson dismissed England captain Alastair Cook cheaply in a hammer blow for the tourists after Australia declared for a mammoth first innings of 570 to be firmly in control after day two of the second Ashes Test on Friday.

A day that began with promise for England quickly unravelled in the field as Australia captain Michael Clarke and his deputy Brad Haddin scored centuries in a record sixth-wicket partnership at Adelaide Oval.

Adding insult to injury, Clarke, who struck 148 for his second ton in successive Tests, waited until 34-year-old paceman Ryan Harris had compiled his second test fifty before declaring on 570-9 after tea in glorious sunshine.

Johnson then captured the key wicket of Cook for three, beating the England skipper for pace with a searing delivery that knocked over his off-stump and sent a raucous crowd of over 35,000 into paroxysms of delight.

Opener Michael Carberry (20 not out), and Joe Root (nine not out), promoted to number three in place of the departed Joanathan Trott, dug in grimly in the final hour to carry England to 35-1 at the close, still 535 shy of Australia's total.

Despite losing the toss, England battled hard to earn a share the spoils on Thursday's opening day, but squandered their opportunity on an overcast morning when play resumed at 273-5.

Having dropped three catches on Thursday, the tourists committed a number of howlers in the field to allow Clarke and Haddin to notch a 200-run partnership and take the initiative away.

Haddin, dropped on five by Carberry late on Thursday's opening day, rode his luck to blast his way to 118 with five sixes before departing when he swiped at a Stuart Broad delivery to nick a catch to fellow wicketkeeper Matt Prior.

Paceman Harris notched his half-century with a delightful square cut to the fence and finished unbeaten on 55 after caning the England attack with six fours and two sixes.

Number 11 batsman Nathan Lyon also helped himself to a six and finished unbeaten on 17 at the declaration.

LOVE AFFAIR

Clarke earlier set the tone by attacking England's bowlers from the first ball, but eventually fell to test debutant Ben Stokes when he spooned a miscued drive in close to be caught by a diving James Anderson.

The 32-year-old Clarke's love affair with Adelaide Oval was consummated once more, his last nine tests at the ground yielding a peerless record of two double-centuries, four tons and three 50s, with a high score of 230 against South Africa a year ago.

Paceman Johnson was unable to repeat his heroics with the bat in Brisbane, where he scored 64 and an unbeaten 39, and gave up a catch off Swann to Stuart Broad at mid-on for five.

Having moved to 86, Haddin stood and delivered, roaring to his ton with four boundaries and embracing partner Peter Siddle after moving to 102 off 157 balls.

Earlier, Haddin could well have been run out for 18 after being called through for a cheeky single by Clarke but was let off by a poor throw back to the stumps by Carberry.

He was granted another life on 30 by Monty Panesar, who held up rather than attempt a dive to catch a miscued pull shot off seamer James Anderson just before the drinks break.

Ian Bell also put down a tough chance at short leg when Clarke, on 91, charged down the wicket in a bid to despatch spinner Swann but succeeded only to nick it behind.

The most glaring howler, though, was from debutant Stokes who had Haddin caught behind on 51 only to have his maiden test wicket in his debut match taken away on review when it was shown he had overstepped the mark.

Stokes later recovered to take Clarke's wicket along with Siddle's to finish with 2-70 from his 18 overs. Broad finished with 3-98 but recalled spinner Panesar was hammered for 1-157.

Both teams wore black armbands and the crowd stood for a minute's silence before the start of play to honour South Africa's anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela, who died on Thursday.

EVENING SESSION

England should be happy to have lost just one wicket and survived the session.

But they have a big amount of work ahead of them as England ended the day at 35 for 1 in 21 overs in reply to Australia's strong 570.

Johnson does it. Cook is bowled. Eng 9-1 in 3 overs.

A Cook b Johnson 3 (11b 0x4 0x6)

Johnson prepares to bowl for Australia as Cook and Carberry take guard for England.

AUSTRALIA INNINGS

Australia declared their first innings closed for 570-9 after tea on the second day of the second Ashes Test against England on Friday.

Australia vice-captain Brad Haddin blasted a fifth six off spinner Monty Panesar but departed for 118 soon after when he swiped at a Stuart Broad delivery only to nick a catch to fellow wicketkeeper Matt Prior.

Paceman Ryan Harris notched his second test half-century with a delightful square cut to the fence and finished unbeaten on 55 after caning the England attack with six fours and two sixes.

Number 11 batsman Nathan Lyon also helped himself to a six and finished unbeaten on 17 with Harris on 55 not out.

Australia have declared their innings at 570-9. England have a huge task cut out. They have 21 overs to see through for the day.

Haddin is gone. Great knock and a big partnership with his skipper puts Australia on top. Aus 529-9 in 151 overs.

B Haddin c Prior b Broad 118 (177b 11x4 5x6

England had something to cheer about after getting a few Australian wickets before going in to tea.

But skipper Clarke (148) and Haddin (108 not out) had already done the damage as Australia were in a brilliant position at 516-8 in 148 overs.

AFTERNOON SESSION

Harris takes on Swann and fires two consecutive sixes to ensure Australia cross 500. Aus 508-8 in 146 overs.

Stokes removes Siddle. England looking to wrap things up as early as possible. Aus 485-8 in 143 overs.

P Siddle c Prior b Stokes 2 (11m 9b 0x4 0x6)

Brilliant Haddin hits a boundary to get to his century. Amazing knock filled with aggresion. Aus 479-7 in 141 overs.

Swann gets his second wicket to remove Johnson. Broad takes the catch. As 474-7 in 140 overs.

M Johnson c Broad b Swann 5 (12m 13b 1x4 0x6)

Two classic fours from Haddin as he enters the 90s. Aus 474-6 in 139 overs.

Clarke finally is out. Stokes gets him. But what an innings the skipper has played ensuring Australia are sitting in a fine position. Aus 462-6 in 137 overs

M Clarke c Anderson b Stokes 148 (348m 245b 17x4 0x6)

Haddin in an aggressive mood. Blasts Panesar for a six and a boundary. Aus 441-5 in 133 overs.

A four from Clarke takes Australia past 400. Clarke batting on 120 and Hadding on 59. Aus 402-5 in 126 overs.

England seems to be losing the plot here with not success at all. Clarke and Haddin going good after lunch. Aus 394-5 in 125 overs.

MORNING SESSION

Australia captain Michael Clarke renewed his love affair with Adelaide Oval by scoring a sublime century to push Australia to a commanding 389-5 at lunch on day two of the second Ashes Test on Friday.

Clarke was unbeaten on 109 at the break with his vice captain Bradd Haddin alongside him on 57 after the pair punished a flagging England attack to add 116 runs to the overnight total in an unbroken stand of 132.

Having dropped three catches on Thursday's opening day, two of which would have dismissed Clarke and Haddin, England's fielders let their bowlers down again on an overcast morning beside the River Torrens.
 
Haddin could well have been run out for 18 after being called through for a cheeky single by Clarke but was let off by a poor throw back to the stumps by Michael Carberry, who also spilled a simple catch just before stumps on Thursday to save the wicketkeeper.

Haddin was granted another life on 30 by Monty Panesar, who held up rather than take a dive to catch a miscued pull shot off seamer James Anderson just before the drinks break.

Ian Bell also put down a tough chance at short leg when Clarke, on 91, charged down the wicket in a bid to despatch spinner Graeme Swann but succeeded only to nick it behind.

The most glaring howler, though, was from England new boy Ben Stokes who had Haddin caught behind on 51 only to have his maiden test wicket in his debut match taken away on review when it was shown he had overstepped the mark.

Haddin gave the all-rounder some choice words at the end of the over and the 22-year-old Stokes responded in kind, prompting umpire Marais Erasmus to step in to defuse the tension.

The session belonged to Clarke, who roughed up Panesar early and in turn carted England's seamers Stuart Broad, James Anderson and Stokes to all corners of the ground.

Clarke's ton was his second in two tests and the 32-year-old now boasts a peerless record of two double-centuries, four tons and three 50s from his last nine matches at Adelaide Oval, with a high score of 230 against South Africa a year ago.

Clarke, who drove Australia into a dominant position with a century at the Gabba in the opening test, brought up his 26th test ton by working Stokes off his pads for two runs through square leg.

He tore off his helmet, kissed the insignia and raised his arms aloft in triumph as a big crowd at Adelaide Oval roared their approval.

A magnificent session for Australia as skipper Clarke gets a superb unbeaten century. Giving him company is Haddin on 57 as the duo share an unbroken 132 partnership to put Australia in commanding position. Australia are 389 for five in 120 overs at lunch.

A strong partnership between Clarke and Haddin reaches 130. Australia dominating the proceedings on day 2 as England bowlers look frustrated. Aus 387-5 in 118 overs.

The skipper is leading from the front. Clarke has played a brilliant innings to achieve a well deserved century. He has been particularly aggressive today. Aus 373-5 in 114 overs.

A fine innings from Haddin as he gets his half century. Aus 367-5 in 111 overs.

Clarke dealing in boundaries frequently. He is already on 87 as partnership reaches 71 with Haddin. Aus 328-5 in 104 overs.

A cracking boundary from Clarke of Anderson takes Australia past 300. Aus 302-5 in 98 overs.

Clarke looks to be brimming in confidence early in the day. Hits Panesar to two boundaries as he races to 67. Aus 298-5 in 97 overs.

Clarke notches up a well crafted half century. His stay in the middle will be very important for Australia today. Aus 278-5 in 93 overs.

Australia will look to build on a good total they managed to achieve on the first day with skipper Michael Clarke batting on 48.

England had pegged back the initiative with some late wickets and would be keen to continue so when play resumes on Day 2 with Australia on 273 for five.

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.