Day 2 at The Gabba : Johnson triggers dramatic England collapse

THE EVENTS

This is why we all love test cricket. There is simply nothing better than to watch a proper even contest between bat and ball with quality pace against top class batting.

The Gabba test on day 2 provided one of the best Australian performances in a long time. Resuming at the overnight score of 8-273, Brad Haddin managed a few more runs before Australia got bundled out for 295. England smiles all around. 295 was a bad score for a side batting first on lively wicket. England walked back to the dressing room patting themselves on the back for a job well done.

And then out came Captain Cook and his new opening partner Michael Carberry. The first three overs from Mitchell Johnson delighted the Barmy Army as he sprayed the ball around leg stump leading to the famous chant "He bowls to the left, he bowls to the right, he bowls utter s**te" from the English section of the crowd. Carberry looked decent enough and wasn’t troubled much initially.

And then it came. All summer in England, Australia had tempted Cook to drive outside the off stump. It happened again as the English Captain was caught behind from a Harris delivery swinging away. Out came Johnathan Trott to an intriguing field set up featuring a leg gully and short leg. Chin music was the order of the day

Johnson suddenly found his radar as the fiery left arm pacer peppered Trott with short balls. Just like Watson in the previous day, Trott lost his wicket before lunch when he was caught behind going down the leg side to a Johnson short ball.

Pietersen and Carberry then began a solid partnership after lunch. And at 2-82 and the likes of Bell to follow, England weren’t too unhappy. But what followed certainly made them. In a remarkable sequence, first Pietersen’s careless flick off Harris flew straight to Bailey. Then Michael Carberry was taken off a short ball by Johnson.

Graeme Swann hadn’t done much on the first day and nothing was expected of Nathan Lyon. But the off spinner removed Bell and Prior off successive deliveries . It was quite magical as Joe Root wildly drove Johnson and was caught at gully. Swann was removed swiftly by Johnson. England succumbed from 2-82 to 6-91 . 6 wickets for just 9 runs! Talk of a follow on was among the Aussie ranks but England got the four runs to avoid it.

Broad tried to hit out but skied one off Siddle to bring a close to the England innings. It was pretty disastrous. 132 all out facing a first innings lead of 163 runs.

Out came Warner and Rogers. And they batted out the day 0-65 with Warner nearing a half century capped up a perfect day for Australia. English bowlers looked toothless.

STAR OF THE DAY

Australia - Mitchell Johnson - Undoubtedly, if they go on to win, this test will be known as "Mitchell Johnson test at the Gabba"

England - Stuart Broad - Nothing much to shout about but for the second day in a row, Broad was the only one up for a fight.

FLOP OF THE DAY

Australia - None. It was the perfect day for them. A spirited team effort.

England - Johnathan Trott. All the English batsmen were terrible but Trott got out in the same fashion as he has in three of the previous four Ashes Tests.

DAY’S VERDICT

Began as England’s but ended with the tourists almost out of the game. It is not all doom though as the Australian batting line up is known for its collapses and the weather forecast is slightly in England’s favour. Depending on Cook playing a massive second innings, England might just escape with a draw but its Australia’s to let go at the moment.