November 09 Saturday 2002
Fighting England take second-day points over Aussies

BRISBANE: Australian paceman Andy Bichel (L) leaps high as he appeals against England batsman Michael Vaughan (R) on the second day of the first Test Match on Friday

BRISBANE: Fighting England recovered some of their battered cricketing pride here Friday to take it to Australia and revive their hopes of saving the opening Ashes Test with three days left. England, lambasted for their abject opening day when Australia helped themselves to 364 runs for two, clawed back some credibility claiming the last eight wickets for 128 to dismiss them for 492.  At stumps, the tourists crowned a heartening day to be 158 for one and 135 runs away from making Australia bat again with Marcus Trescothick unbeaten on 63 and Mark Butcher not out 51. Trescothick smashed Shane Warne over wide mid-on for six on the way to his 15th half-century in his 27th Test. Australia, generally so ruthless in the field, rued a couple of missed chances to ram home their advantage.

Trescothick was dropped by Damien Martyn at third slip off McGrath when he was two, Martyn flinging himself to his right, while Butcher (14) was put down by a diving Matthew Hayden in the slips cordon off Andy Bichel. Butcher had a second life on 38 when Adam Gilchrist muffed a stumping chance off the beguiling Warne. He went on to smash the champion leggie for three consecutive fours late in the day and claim his 12th Test 50. 

Giles snared 4-101, his best against Australia, while Caddick stepped up with 3-108 from 35 overs. Caddick, disappointing on Thursday, was a different proposition on the second day, bowling a tighter line and was rewarded with the wickets of Hayden (197), skipper Steve Waugh (7) and Warne. Warne was the unlikely Australian star, chipping in with his eighth Test half-century and second against England with an energetic 57 off 65 balls. 

The leg-spinner clouted eight fours, some majestic along-the-ground cover drives, before he top-edged Caddick to Butcher at deep fine leg. England showed they have plenty of fire and spirit and they fought hard and they England had a rousing morning, rebounding from Thursday's gloom to send Hayden, Martyn, Waugh and Gilchrist on their way. 

Hayden added 13 to his overnight 186 before he gloved to wicketkeeper Alec Stewart ending his 395-minute vigil. Hayden clubbed 25 boundaries and two sixes off 268 balls for his 10th Test century. 

He fell six runs short of his highest Test score of 203 against India at Madras in March last year. 

Martyn, batting in Mark Waugh's No.4 spot, was circumspect scoring 26 in 122 minutes before he edged to Trescothick at first slip off Craig White. After stalling Australia's scoring for 25 minutes the tourists captured the important wicket of Waugh for seven in 71 minutes. Waugh fell to a well-laid English trap, caught at short leg by John Crawley off a lifting Caddick delivery. 

There was more glee for England with the dangerous Gilchrist, who averages 58 batting at No.7, playing White away from his body to Giles in the gully and Australia were 415 for six. 

Warne and Darren Lehmann, back in the Australian team after almost four years, added 63 for the seventh wicket in even time before Lehmann lazily drove to Butcher at extra cover off Giles for 30. Home-town favourite Andy Bichel went next ball lbw and Jason Gillespie saw off Giles' hat-trick attempt before Warne's splendid cameo came to an end. 

McGrath only lasted two balls before he was lbw to give Giles his fourth wicket of the innings.