England rip through Aussie openers

Chris Tremlett
12 April 2012

England's seamers bagged four wickets before lunch to vindicate Andrew Strauss' decision to bowl first in the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.

Chris Tremlett struck twice and James Anderson and Tim Bresnan - called up for this pivotal match in place of leading wicket-taker Steven Finn - once each, as Australia struggled to 58 for four.

A pitch wearing evident patches of green was significant inducement to take the field first, and Strauss' judgment proved sound as England found plenty of life and movement on a cool and often cloudy morning.

They eliminated both openers, home captain Ricky Ponting and the prolific Michael Hussey for just 39 runs between them to take an early advantage in pursuit of the 2-1 series lead which would mean the Ashes are retained.

Shane Watson's 12-ball stay was fretful and eventful. He edged low to third slip off Anderson in the first over, but Paul Collingwood could not hold a tricky but catchable chance. Watson had still not scored when, in Anderson's next over, he toe-ended a square-cut high to gully where Kevin Pietersen put down a regulation catch.

Pietersen and England's regrets did not last long, though - because Tremlett, who had served up a wayward first over which allowed Phil Hughes to get under way with two off-side fours, produced a brute of a ball to do for Watson.

Then with only his seventh delivery of the series, first-change Bresnan gave Hughes what he identified as a little freedom outside off-stump - only to spear a drive on the up straight to Pietersen, whose hands had become safe.

Tremlett - switched to the Southern Stand end - got another to spit alarmingly at Ponting and took the splice for an excellent catch high at second slip by Graeme Swann.

Strauss brought Swann into the attack for two overs before lunch, but it was one more bowling change that worked perfectly.

Anderson had previously deserved a wicket yet gone unrewarded. With only his second delivery from the Members end, though, he got the breakthrough England really wanted - Hussey edging some swing behind to depart just one ball before rain brought a slightly early end to the session.

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