England wins 2nd Ashes Test against Australia

England have an upper hand in the ongoing Ashes series after their spin wizard Graeme Swann bowled them to victory with a 5-wicket haul in Adelaide. The victory marked the visitor's 100th test victory over Australia. Neither rain nor the lower order could save the host on the fifth day.

Graeme Swann took 3 of the last 6 wickets to tumble Australia for 304 to complete a comprehensive innings and 71-run victory in the second Ashes test. This was Australia's first innings defeat at home since their capitulation to the Mighty West Indies at Perth in 1993.

Though Australia won thee ton and elected to bat first, it was England who made a dramatic start to this Test with the ball. They handed Australia their worst start in a decade with 3 wickets for 2 runs in the first morning. But Australia went on to score 245 with a fine knock from Mike Hussey (93).

England made a great start with the bat too. Centuries from Alastair Cook (148) and Kevin Pietersen (227-career best), half centuries from Bell and Trott sealed England a mamooth total of 620 with a comfortable lead of 380.

Things went wrong again for Australia on the second innings. The host ended the fouth day with 238/4. This time too, it was Hussey (44*) who was saving his side after Peterson dismissed Clarke on the last ball of 4th day.

On the fifth day, Australia resumed at 238-4 with high hopes of salvaging a draw or being saved by positive forecast rain. But Graeme Swann, Jimmy Anderson & Steven Finn claimed the last 6 wickets for 66 runs and wrapped up the test with a 1-0 lead in the series before lunch.

Kevin Pietersen was voted 'player of the match' after scoring a career-best 227.

The first Test ended in a draw. The third test starts on December 16th in Perth and England, which holds the Ashes after winning at home last year, could easily retain the old urn wiht a 1-0 lead.