Ashes 2013-14, Test 2, Day 4.

     Australia 570 runs/9 wickets(dec.) - 1st Innings  

     England 172 runs/10 wickets - 1st Innings 

     Australia 132 runs/3 wickets (dec.)  - 2nd Innings

     England 247 runs/6 wickets - 2nd Innings

                STUMPS Day 4. 

England require another 284 runs with 4 wickets remaining

       The Australian Dominance continues as they continue to massacre the English Batting line-up. Though Micheal Clarke declared the Australian Innings right from the start of the day and did not bat at all on the 4th day, still they had a massive target of 531 runs in front of the visitors which they had to defend. On the other hand , with 2 days remaining the target was achievable but it needed a strong approach from the Englishmen. However the home team had all the things right under the control as they continued their fashion of getting early wickets in the 2nd Innings too. 

             

Australia declared their innings right from the start without adding even a single run to the yesterday's lead of 530 runs setting the guest a massive target of 531 runs required off 2 days. A mighty turnout was expected from the Englishmen but they couldn't do any thing muscular.The early wickets for Australia came again as they dismissed both the openers, the skipper Alastair Cook and Micheal Carberry, on just total of 20 runs. This time Peter Siddle joined the attack as he got rid of Micheal Carberry while Cook  was caught again by Mitchell Johnson. Then started the much needed partnership between Joe Root and Kevin Pietersen who put together 111 runs and toom the total to 131 runs/3 wickets. Then came the much needed breakthrough in the form of the dismissal of Kevin Pietersen(53 runs) who was bowled out by Peter Siddle. No sooner it took to remove the new entered Ian Bell for just 6 runs but this time Steve Smith did the trick. 

                          Then 30 runs later it was the turn of Joe Root to get back to the pavilion for his stand out innings of 87 runs. He was driven out by Nathan Lyon. Their started the tiny Partnership of 39 runs between Matt Prior and Ben Stokes which soon came to an end by the departure of Ben Stokes(28 runs).

              Stuart Broad stepped in with an aim of getting the match back in the grip. He is playing steadily for his 22* runs which is being led by Matt Prior who stands at 31* runs. Both the batsmen still stand at the crease on the end of the day with a total of 247 runs/6 wickets but it will take them another whole in order to take the match at least towards a Draw or they could even take an edge closer to the victory. But 4 wickets is only what Australia needs for another victory and to get 2-0 up in the series.Still the game looks much in the rip of the Kangaroos but you never know what cricket brings to you...........