2nd Test - Adelaide: England marks out of 10

 
What a massive turnaround from four years ago. That ignominious defeat can now fade into the memory after England's utter domination and innings victory in Adelaide this time. All the batsmen look in fantastic nick - four average over hundred in the series so far - and the bowling attack is several levels above Australia's. One-up with three to play and one more victory will secure the urn. The only problem is the injury to Stuart Broad, but Chris Tremlett is fit and raring to go.

Here's how England rated in Adelaide: 

Andrew Strauss - 5: Serious misjudgement cost him his wicket, but in the end it didn't matter. Hindsight will show that he timed his declaration perfectly, bowled KP at the right time and took the new ball on the final morning at the correct time too.

Alastair Cook – 9.5: Started the series with his place being questioned by some and is now on target to emulate Wally Hammond's record 903 run haul of 1928/29. Was once again immovable at the crease and now has 15 Test hundreds at the age of 25.

Jonathan Trott - 8: The first test in which he hasn't scored a hundred against Australia, but again he looked in imperious form before giving his wicket away. Now has a test match average of 60.

Kevin Pietersen – 10: So, he was saving himself for the Aussies after all. Must be licking his lips at the prospect of facing this Australian attack for three more tests. Put in a bid for all-rounder status with the wicket of Clarke.

Paul Collingwood – 6: Looked in good nick for his 42, but it was someone else's turn to score 200 this time at Adelaide. His great catch to remove Ponting in the 2nd innings was a huge boost.

Ian Bell – 8: Again looked in wonderful form and hit some glorious shots in his unbeaten 68. It would seem that the only way he will be denied a first Ashes hundred in this series is if he keeps coming in at 400 odd for 4.

Matt Prior - 6: Survived a plumb looking leg before decision on review to play a lively cameo under no pressure whatsoever on the 4th morning. Tidy with the gloves for the most part other than what could have been a costly spill of Hussey on the final morning.

Stuart Broad - 5: Again bowled better than his one wicket suggested before he was cruelly struck down with the abdominal injury that now rules him out of the rest of the series.

Graeme Swann - 9: Bounced back after his blip in Brisbane to provide control in the 1st innings before becoming the main man in the second to record his tenth test five for. He could well prove unstoppable now.

James Anderson - 8.5: His spell with the new ball on the first morning set the tone for the match and he bowled wonderfully throughout the first day. Poor in the second innings until he produced a beauty to get Haddin.

Steve Finn - 7: First spell in each innings were poor as he gifted too many boundaries, but bounced back thereafter and was England's best seamer in the 2nd innings. His wicket of Hussey started Australia's slide on the final morning.

Where next?

Read all the latest from our Ashes 2010/11 coverage

1st Test: England marks out of 10

1st Test: Australia marks out of 10

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Comments

[greyblazer]

I would give Anderson 9.He is a swing bowler who can occasionally go for runs as a swing bowler in an attempt to search for swing can bowl a half volley or a delivery down the leg side but he showed that he is mentally tough by taking couple of wickets.

It is something at least Saker, Flower and Strauss have understood as none of them criticise him when he goes for runs as they all know that just like a good wrist spinner he can occasionally go for runs but also can take wickets.

[The Reverse Sweep]

Agree with your comments on Anderson greyblazer, and he did bounce back well this morning after an under-par performance on the 4th day. he nearly got a 9 solely for setting up the match for England with Pontings and Clarkes wickets on Day 1, but in the end I felt I couldnt give him the same mark as Swann