Ashes: Absorbing start to second Test in Adelaide

Half-centuries for Rogers, Watson and Bailey as Australia reach 273 for 5.

The second Ashes Test started in Adelaide Oval on Thursday; Michael Clarke won the toss and opted to bat first in the refurbished stadium.

Openers Chris Rogers (72), Shane Watson (51) and George Bailey (53) scored half-centuries as the hosts reached 273 for five by close of play on day one.

David Warner fell cheaply for 29 runs; his innings was studded with four hits to the fence and his over-attacking approach cost him his wicket.

The second wicket-stand between Rogers and Watson yielded 121 runs. However, the hosts lost three wickets in quick succession as the duo was followed to the pavilion by Steven Smith who scored six runs. Rogers said he spent a sleepless night fretting over his Test career before hitting form again.

Asked if he felt the pressure going into the Adelaide Test, Rogers told reporters, “Quite a lot. Sleeplessness was there the night last night.

“It was important to get some runs on a pretty good wicket today [yesterday].

Rogers, playing in his eighth Test, was pragmatic about not making an even bigger score or going on to his second century in Test cricket.

“Of course, if you get to that total, you want to go and make it count,” he said.

At stumps, Clarke was unbeaten on 48 while Brad Haddin had scored seven runs. Broad claimed two wickets for the tourists.

England meanwhile made two changes to the team that lost the first Test by a big margin in Brisbane; Jonathan Trott was replaced by Ben Stokes while Monty Panesar was brought in the place of Chris Tremlett who had an ordinary first Test.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 6^th, 2013.

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