Australia vs. England- 2nd Ashes Test- Day 2 News and Preview

With yesterday’s Second Test providing one of the most thrilling opening over’s in a long time, the stage has been set for a thrilling next four days.

Jimmy Anderson reduced Australia to their worst start to a Test innings in over 60 years, as Ricky Ponting's men crumbled to 3 for 2 in only the third over.

The ever reliable presence of Mike Hussey managed to calm things down for the hosts, however not enough to ensure that England didn’t remain on top after the opening day in Adelaide.

The Adelaide Oval has been deemed a batsmen’s paradise, and one would imagine that Ponting would have been justified choosing to bat first on a stiflingly warm opening morning.

However, as predicted Jimmy Anderson came out blazing from the start and within the space of his opening over had sent two of Australia’s once feared top order back to the pavilion.

Clarke's dismissal left Australia on 3 for 2 in the third over, and it could easily have been 12 for 4 shortly afterwards if the Lancashire seamer had managed to hold onto a difficult return chance offered up by Hussey.

While Anderson held up one end, Swann produced a much better display this time around at the other. Although he could not emulate the Gabba’s opening day hat-trick, his 2 for 70 was a good reward on a day when he kept one end tight.

He continued to do what was expected of a spinner on a first-day pitch down under, as he slowly built pressure and in the space of two deliveries he swung the match firmly back in England's favour.

None of the other seamers in Broad or Finn had a particularly standout performance, however both claimed a wicket, with Broad's dismissal of Haddin, caught at fine-leg for an entertaining 56, ending Australia's innings.

Many are calling the Australian total of 245 all out sub-standard on an Adelaide pitch, with pundits putting England’s batsmen at having a great chance of taking this game, and with it series, by the throat.

The bookies are now calling this one heavily in favour of the visitors, with Australia set at a rather long 4.5

For anyone looking to make anything off of this innings, a ‘Top England’ batsman punt would be the one to look at. Strauss is top of the list, with both Cook and Pietersen set at 5 even next up.

One would imagine this was somewhat presumptuous with the current form that Kevin Pietersen has shown this summer, however time and again he has produced the goods on the big stage with the old faithful muttering the words; “It’s only a matter of time.”

On the Aussie bowling front, Peter Siddle is the man the statisticians assume will once again wreak havoc, with Mitchell Johnson’s replacement Doug Bollinger next up at 3.75

This Test has been shot wide open, with England well aware that with four days on a good surface still left to play, that this Test is theirs for the taking.