Powelly's MCG Day 2 Review - Cook and Broad Shine To Give Hope of Victory

Cook had a fantastic day as England dominated at 'The G' (Credit: Reuters)

Fourth Ashes Test, Melbourne Cricket Ground (day two of five)

Australia 327 (119 overs): Warner 103, Smith 76, Broad 4-51

England 192-2 (57 overs): Cook 104*, Root 49*

In their last three innings prior to this test match, Australia have scored 530, 551/3 and 624/8 in their first innings at least he MCG. And, on 244/3, they head into the best day for batting in the whole test match. BUT HE’S OUT!!

Steve Smith headed back to the pavilion after chopping on a nothing delivery off the bowling of Tom Curran, who now finally had a well earned wicket.

Still, it wasn’t yet enough for me and James to start smiling... 
(see right, white and OH Cap at the top of the photo)

But the excitement really built when Mitch Marsh was dismissed in very similar circumstances to Woakes’ bowling. Suddenly, a glimmer of hope.

Australia put the foot down thanks to the quick batting of Tim Paine, but after Shaun Marsh was struck on the pad, Broad called for a review. 

OUT!!

And there was another LBW to follow soon. After Paine became the THIRD batsmen to chop on, Jackson Bird failed to overturn Broad’s delivery and, quite incredibly, England had taken 5 Australian wickets in an enthralling session. Despite most of us being relatively sober, the Barmy Army was bouncing. 

England had a remarkable morning, given how suited conditions were for batting

We went to lunch jubilant, and when we returned England had cleaned the Australian tail up and were batting. The opening pairing looked comfortable before Mark Stoneman departed in very frustrating circumstances. I won't repeat the language that was used to describe the softness of his dismissal, despite the superb catch of Nathan Lyon. 

What followed was hilarious. A sledging bout from a young Aussie fan and a veteran of the Barmy Army. The latter abusing Jackson Bird, the former taking the piss out of anything English cricket.

And then the best singing of the match so far. A rendition of ‘We are the army’ that lasted for the final half hour of the session as England made tea at 72/1. The match was pretty much 50:50. 

But despite the loss of Vince, England would take command in the final session thanks to Cook and Root finally finding form with some intelligent batting.

Cook was dropped on 66, prompting chants to Steve Smith of 'you've let your country down.', the Aussie captain the unfortunate recipient of a tough chance, which he failed to take. 

The Barmy Army seemed to run out of steam, as did the Australians, who left a swathe of empty seats as they slowly trickled out of the ground.

But then, as Root and Cook picked up the pace and the team total neared 200, we burst into life, to the point where the pretty optimistic ‘We’re gonna win 4-3’ and ‘We’ll take the urn home’ became the loudest chants.

Me and James were now on our feet (see middle right).

And as Steve Smith brought himself on, Alastair Cook ended his 10 innings wait for a century as the crowd roared to life. Singing his name. 

And finally, England have won a day. We won’t take the urn home, but we might just restore some pride.