Ashes 2013: 4th Test, Day 2 - Heroes of the Day

It took 12 balls for Australia to wrap up England‘s first innings on their overnight total of 238. The visitors then provided a strong batting display, despite early strikes from Stuart Broad.

At the end of the second day’s play, Australia were sitting pretty at 222/5, only 16 runs behind England’s total. They will look to build on their first innings score and try to bat through most of the third day in order to get a sizable lead.

Here are the Heroes of the second day’s play:

Chris Rogers (101 n.o. off 233 balls – 13 fours)

The left-hander finally got to the coveted three-figure mark in Test cricket after coming close to it in an earlier Test. He was grit personified as he negotiated both pace and spin with ease. He played Graeme Swann quite well, even sweeping the wily off-spinner to the square leg fence to bring up his maiden Test century.

Rogers will look to add some more runs with wicket-keeper Brad Haddin tomorrow. Incidentally, at 36, he became the second oldest Australian to record a first century. Terrific knock!

Shane Watson (68 runs from 134 balls – 7 fours)

The blond all-rounder finally came good with the bat in this series as he recorded an Ashes half-century after struggling in the first three Tests. Joining the well-set Chris Rogers with his side struggling at 76/4, Watson proceeded to play an innings that had just the right mix of caution and aggression.

Quickly getting his eye in, Watson opened up his broad shoulders as boundary after sublime boundary flew off his blade. He progressed to his half-century without fuss, and was shaping up for a bigger knock when a rank poor leg-side delivery from Stuart Broad saw him attempting to flick it, and edging the ball behind to Matt Prior, who took a superb low catch.

Nevertheless, an excellent knock from the all-rounder; his 129-run partnership with Rogers pulled Australia out of the woods into relative safety.

Stuart Broad (4/48 in 20 overs)

With hardly any support from the other bowlers, England T20 captain Stuart Broad produced a lively spell of seam bowling as he took four of the five Australian wickets to fall during the second day’s play.

He got one to nip back into David Warner, shattering his stumps to give England their first breakthrough. Next, he had Usman Khawaja caught by Prior before inducing Michael Clarke to edge a length delivery around off to skipper Cook at slip. Towards the end of the day’s play, Broad dismissed Shane Watson off a leg-side delivery to pick up his fourth wicket.

England will hope for another inspired performance from the young pacer if they are to get Australia out for less than 300.

Over to Day 3.