Australia slashed to 2/7 to win third Test as they lead by 200 runs
Published:Mitchell Johnson was a man that couldn’t buy a wicket in the first Test at Brisbane, but the pace bowler has rejuvenated Australia’s Ashes hopes with an incredible display at the WACA.
With Australia in trouble at 137-6, Johnson’s knock of 62 was the best by an Australian batsman and steered his side to a first innings total of 267.
Entering the second day as 5/6 favourites to win the Test match, England are now 3/1 to win after a stunning bowling performance from Johnson and co saw England manage a miserable 187 with Trott, Pietersen and Collingwood all going for five or less.
Johnson was a 16/1 to shot to be the man of the match and after taking six of the English wickets, coupled with his showing with the bat, Johnson is most definitely on for the accolade.
At stumps on day two, Australia had managed 119 runs for the loss of three wickets, including Ricky Ponting for 1, and the Australian skipper will come under much scrutiny whichever way this Test match goes following just 22 runs in his last four innings – his worst run for 10 years.
The 119 runs has contributed to a lead of 200 runs and Australia are 5/6 to surpass 319.5 runs in the second innings.
Should they do so, and nothing is guaranteed on this WACA wicket which has brought excitement back to the Ashes, count England out of winning this test match.
In 39 Ashes innings at the WACA, only on five occasions has a side managed to score more than 350 runs and Australia just need 150 more runs with seven wickets to spare to make England’s task extremely difficult.
At 77/0 in the first innings, England were 2/5 to win the third test but 21 runs and 5 wickets later, the favouritism had switched to Australia who became 8/13.
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