Cook Passes 5000 Runs As England Close Gap

Cook Passes 5000 Runs As England Close Gap

Alastair Cook (right) hits to leg during his unbeaten half-century in Sydney

©Action Images/ Jason O'Brien Livepic

Australia 280 (Johnson 53, Anderson 4-66) v
England 167-3 (Cook 61no, Strauss 60)
Fifth Ashes Test, Sydney, day two
Scorecard

England closed day two of the fifth and final Ashes Test against Australia in Sydney on 167 for three with the match nicely poised after they dismissed Australia for 280.

Alastair Cook was unbeaten on 61 having become the 20th Englishman to reach the milestone of 5000 Test runs before close of play.

The day began with Australia on 134 for four and England were quickly back into wicket-taking mode as James Anderson had Brad Haddin (6) caught by Matthew Prior and Michael Hussey was bowled Paul Collingwood for 33.

Mitchell Johnson then scored his second half-century of the series, hitting five fours and a six on his way to 53 in 61 balls and after Anderson removed Steve Smith and Peter Siddle - both for two - Johnson received excellent support from Ben Hilfenhaus, who made 34 and the pair put on 76 for the ninth wicket to frustrate England.

Tim Bresnan finally bowled Johnson and the innings was ended when Anderson had Hilfenhaus caught by Prior.

Anderson returned figures of four for 66 and Bresnan three for 89.

England made a wonderful start to their reply as openers Andrew Strauss (60) and Alastair Cook (61 not out) both scored half-centuries but their 98-run opening stand was not without alarm.

Cook holed out to mid-off to debutant left-arm spinner Michael Beer, only to be recalled after it was revealed that Beer had overstepped and Strauss eventually fell when he was bowled by Hilfenhaus - he had faced just 58 balls, hitting eight fours and a six.

Jonathan Trott - whose average against Australia going into this match was more than 100 - then registered the first duck of his Test career when Johnson bowled him.

Kevin Pietersen then made a fluent 36 and added 66 with Cook for the third wicket before he too fell to Johnson when he was caught by Beer.

Nightwatchman James Anderson was unbeaten at stumps on one alongside Cook, who faced 141 balls and hit six fours.

The rain-affected opening day saw Australia lose three wickets in quick succession as they closed on 134 for four after winning the toss and choosing to bat first. The highlight of the opening day was a fluent innings of 37 by debutant Usman Khawaja - in the side as a replacement for the injured Ricky Ponting.

England lead the series 2-1 following innings victories in Adelaide and Melbourne. Australia won by 267 runs in Perth after the opening Test in Brisbane was drawn.

© Cricket World 2011

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