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Rediff.com  » Sports » Australia hit back after batting collapse

Australia hit back after batting collapse

Last updated on: August 22, 2009 00:31 IST
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- Scorecard

Fast bowler Stuart Broad inspired a remarkable England performance by taking five for 37 on the second day of the fifth Ashes Test against Australia at the Oval on Friday.

Fifteen wickets tumbled on a hectic day which finished with England 58 for three in their second innings, a lead of 230 runs, after Australia had collapsed to 160 all out.

Stuart BroadBroad recorded his third five-wicket haul in a Test while Graeme Swann captured four for 38 at the other end after the visitors had reached 73 for no wicket.

Australia then fought back in an extended evening session, taking the wickets of Alastair Cook (9), Ian Bell (4) and Paul Collingwood (1) to keep their hopes alive in a match England must win to regain the Ashes.

Captain Andrew Strauss (32 not out) stood firm on a pitch which offered assistance to speed and spin but was also by no means unplayable.

Although Broad returned career-best figures of six for 91 in the fourth-Test defeat at Headingley, he was the fifth and final option for Strauss among the front-line attack on Friday.

SWANN SPARKLES

He immediately discovered lift and disconcerting movement, dismissing Shane Watson lbw for 34 with the final ball of his first over and bowling captain Ricky Ponting (8) off an inside edge with the last delivery of his third.

Michael Hussey was another lbw victim for nought before Michael Clarke (3) scooped a low catch to Jonathan Trott at short cover. Broad's figures at that stage were four for eight from 21 deliveries.

Swann also played a major role when the spinner was switched to the Pavilion end.

Marcus North was lbw for eight to a Swann ball which appeared to hit the bat first and opener Simon Katich was caught at short-leg after top-scoring with a gritty 50 in 170 minutes.

Mitchell Johnson fell for 11 and Stuart Clark was given out caught at short-leg for six after the ball seemed to evade bat and glove.

Andrew Flintoff completed the rout by bowling Ben Hilfenhaus for six and Broad left the field to a hero's welcome from an exuberant capacity crowd who could scarcely believe the evidence of their own eyes.

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Source: REUTERS
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