England seize control at Adelaide

England seized control with a superb bowling performance against Australia on the first day of the second Ashes test at the Adelaide Oval. James Anderson emerged as the hero for the English with his 4-51 which reduced Australia to their worst start to a test innings in 60 years as they were dismissed for 245.

Australia failed to capitalize on their decision to bat losing three wickets early in the day. It was a bad time for them to drop their form as the England bowlers were in destructive mood.

It started off when the fourth delivery of day went to square leg off the pad of Shane Watson. Katich on the non-strikers end hesitated and then ran as Watson's call, as he later admitted, was too soft for Katich and Jonathan Trott's brilliant throw denied him the chance to face a delivery.

Skipper Ricky Ponting came on but was soon walking back as Anderson's brilliant delivery moved away from him, inviting Ponting to the safe hands of Swann at second slip.

And the chaos continued in Anderson's next over, as Clarke emulated Ponting. With 2 runs to his name, he could only edge Anderson as Swann again snapped up at second slip. Barely three overs into the second Ashes test, Australia found themselves 3-2.

At the Aussie bench, Marcus North and Haddin, who were settling for a relaxing morning in the 34'C temperatures of Adelaide, quickly had to pad up. However, they were thankful to Watson and Hussey who launched an Aussie counter.

The pair survived some nervy moments as Watson made it through an lbw review and Hussey saw his return to Anderson put down, to guide Australia to lunch at 94-3.

To the dismay of the Australian fans, the second session started much like the first. Anderson bowled an inviting out-swinger which Watson (51) tried to drive only to see it in the grasp of Kevin Pietersen at gully.

Hussey battled away stitching a 60 run stand with Marcus North who prodded his way to 26. It ended when North misjudged a Finn delivery to give Matt Prior an easy catch. Australia found themselves at 156-5.

Hussey was the Aussies best batsman so far, and probably their best batsman in the tournament so far. He continued to find the gaps and made his way to 93. However, he was denied a century by some brilliant bowling from Swann. The bowler curved the ball from around the wicket to the left-handed Hussey who was tempted to drive. But it spun more than he expected and he only managed to edge it to Paul Collingwood at first slip.

Swann was on a hat-trick in the very next delivery, he rapped the pads of Ryan Harris. The Australian referred the decision, confident that he had got some bat on it, but even the hotspot technology couldn't give a definitive answer and the umpire's original decision stood.

Swann couldn't get a hat-trick but a wicket would soon fall. Xavier Doherty (6) was run out after some impressive fielding from England. Anderson got his fourth wicket when he dismissed Siddle for 3 and Stuart Broad got the all important wicket of Brad Haddin (56) at fine-leg to wrap up the Aussie innings for 245.

However, it wasn't over yet as there was still time for England to bat. They faced one over scoring one run before stumps were called on the first day which saw England terrorize the Aussie battling line and take the lead. England will look to build a considerable lead on the second day to put themselves on position to claim the second test.