3rd test day two

SCOREBOARD: Australia 527-7 dec. (Clarke 189, Smith 89, Rogers 84, Haddin 65* Starc 66* Swann 5-159) England 52-2 (Cook 36*, Trott 2*, Siddle 2-7)

And so, on the second day of the third Test in Manchester, Australia once again proved that there could still be life in this Ashes series. The Aussies very much won the day, eventually declaring in the evening session at a mammoth 527-7. Even better for them, by the close England were already two wickets down after a brilliant spell from Peter Siddle right at the death.

The day, however, belonged to the skipper, the tenacious and wonderfully skilled Michael Clarke.
Last year he made one triple century and two doubles, but after an uncertain start to his tour it was a big relief for the Aussie supporters to finally see their best player give his side a platform on which to build. After the loss of Steve Smith, who only added 19 to his overnight score, Clarke stepped up a gear and gave Swann in particular a real hiding in the afternoon session.

Clarke's wagon wheel showing his 187 runs.

Swann, though did take advantage of a real turner of a pitch by getting Smith out in his first over of the day; albeit helped significantly by a stupid shot from the Aussie no.5, attempting to hit Swann down the ground when just 11 short of a maiden test hundred. Jonny Bairstow took a simple catch at mid-wicket to break the fourth wicket stand worth a staggering 214.

The recalled David Warner took the wicket to a chorus of boos and it wasn't really a surprise to see him depart soon after arriving for a scratchy 5. He clearly edged to Trott at slip, giving Swann his fourth wicket, but then asked for a review. It was clear he had hit it and the bad boy of the side (and, it appears, the new pantomime villain) had to walk. Before that, though, Clarke reached 150 with a boundary off Tim Bresnan through backward point, incredibly the 9th time in his Test career he has done so. The Aussie leader went to lunch at 168 not out, joined by Brad Haddin, with his side sitting pretty at 392-5.

Clarke was eventually undone chopping on a short ball to give Stuart Broad his 200th Test wicket, while Swann completed his 17th Test five-wicket haul when he bowled Siddle for 1. The captain ended on 187 runs, scored off 314 balls, with 23 4's. The rest of the session was bad for England bowlers as Haddin and Mitchell Starc completed rapid half-centuries, leaving the tourists 507-7 at tea. 20 quick runs were added before Clarke waved his side off, leaving Australia in a commanding position.  For that they owed almost everything to the captain who remains their one world-class player. Michael Clarke was within 13 runs of the fourth double of his Test career which, together with a triple, marks him out as one of the very best batsmen of his generation.

Swann apart, who the conditions suited, it was a day to forget for the England bowlers. Far from England being reliant on Anderson, it seemed at times Cook didn't really want to throw him the ball. Playing on his home ground he went for 116 runs off 33 overs. Indeed, all of the main bowlers went for a 'century' of runs, and in hindsight it might've been worth picking the extra spinner in Panesar- certainly this pitch is only going to take more spin from now on.

England then faced Australia for a nerve racking 30 overs. The openers seemed to have seen off the swing of Harris and Starc and looked set. But Nathan Lyon was introduced for his first bowl of the tour and things changed. At first he bowled in tandem with Shane Watson, who incredibly bowled 5 straight maidens. This gave Lyon opportunity to attack and the right armed offie twice was close to finding Joe Root's edge.

His flight, dip and turn left England's batsmen uncertain and he built pressure: 51 of his 60 deliveries were dot balls. Certainly he gave the selectors reason to regret leaving him out at Trent Bridge and Lord's. There, they had gambled on Ashton Agar, a 19-year-old still learning his craft. Agar failed to take a wicket at Lord's; Lyon almost certainly would've.

Eventually the pressure told as Clarke introduced Siddle for a fast 5 over spell at the death. His pace and bounce caused problems and Root nicked behind off a good length for 8 off 57 balls, an uncertain knock that he will not be pleased with. Nightwatchman Bresnan followed to the same combination, given out off the bottom edge after attempting a pull shot. Bresnan looked unhappy, especially when replays showed distance between bat and ball, but Cook, who hadn't made a mistake yet in his own, patient innings, decided to save the review for more important batsman.

Clarke said afterwards to the BBC: "We worked exceptionally hard in the lead-up to this Test match and it was nice to get a result. But the wicket is pretty flat, there's not much movement and we'll have to work even harder over the next three days to win this Test match. But our bowlers have got the discipline. I was also really pleased with the way Nathan Lyon bowled - he got a little bit of spin but, more importantly, there was also some bounce there, so I think he's going to play a big part."

The hosts still need 276 runs to avoid the follow on at the end of a thrilling day. With Cook and Trott at the crease England will hope to bat all day tomorrow, which would practically ensure the Ashes remaining here until the winter.  But this was Australia's day, and for once their batting has stood up and given their overworked bowling attack a foothold in the game. Scoreboard pressure is a cruel mistress and with Siddle and Lyon bowling well, the tourists will look forward to tomorrow immensely.

Thanks for reading, Adam.