Swann destroys Oz
Graeme Swann starred with both bat and ball as Australia’s latest top-order collapse left England in control of the second Test at Lord’s.
Graeme Swann starred with both bat and ball as Australia’s latest top-order collapse left England in control of the second Test at Lord’s. Australia were bowled out for 128 in reply to England’s first innings 361, a deficit of 233 runs, on the second day. Off-spinner Swann took 5/44 runs in an innings where no batsman made more than Shane Watson’s 30. Earlier, at tea, Australia were 96/7 — a deficit of 265 runs and still needing a further 66 to avoid the follow-on. Swann, who earlier in the day had smashed Australia for a quickfire 28 not out batting at no. 11, had tea figures of 3/27 runs in 15 overs. Brad Haddin, whose 73 so nearly denied England a 14-run first Test win at Trent Bridge, was two not out, with Peter Siddle unbeaten on nought, as he faced another rescue mission. Tim Bresnan took two wickets for nine runs to spark an initial collapse that saw Australia’s 42 without loss transformed into 53/3 early in the second session. Shane Watson, in the story of a Test-batting career that has yielded just two hundreds, looked good making 30. But, playing across his front pad, the opener was lbw to Bresnan, recalled after England dropped Steven Finn. Poor reviews cost Australia dear at Trent Bridge. Soon after lunch Chris Rogers was lbw in bizarre fashion. Phil Hughes fell next, out for one when he nicked a wide delivery from Bresnan to wicketkeeper Matt Prior.