World Champions Australia has almost regained their Ashes crown after their resounding six-wicket win against visitors England on the fifth and final day of the second Cricket test at the Adelaide Cricket ground in Australia to take a 2-0 lead in the series this morning local time.
Scores in the game: England 551-6 declared (Paul Collingwood 206, Kevin Pietersen 158) & 129 all out; Australia 513 (Ricky Ponting 142, Michael Clarke 124 ) & 168-4.
England started the day on 59-1 but was shot out for 129 as spinning maestro and bowling world record holder Shane Warne snared 4-49; pacers Glen McGrath 2-15 and Brett Lee 2-35 backed Warne from the other end of the wicket. Australia batting a second time rushed to 168-4 in 32.5 overs, scoring at a rate of 5.12 runs per over, which is fast paced for a Test match. The Aussies got home in the nick of time as only 19 legitimate balls were left in the game. Mike Hussey led the way with 61 not out and skipper Ricky Ponting compiled 49.
The Englishmen wrestled the ?urn? from the Aussies at home 2-1 last year after a 16-year drought, but the former chances in the series dwindled with this latest loss.
England still has a mathematical chance of regaining the Ashes, but the odds are stocked against them as they played a disastrous second innings in this recent test match so the confidence must be reeling at this time and they are playing in Australia?s territory.