Vodafone Ashes Series 2010-11 - - 2nd Test (Day 4): Highlights of the Fourth Day's Play, Australia Trailing 137 with Six Wickets in Hand

Australia were 238/4 when bad light and hazy weather came to rescue the hopes of Australian fans on the day four of second test of ongoing Ashes Series.

Australian openers, Shane Watson and Simon Katich, started off well and confident; but English bowlers, who didn’t get any support from the pitch earlier on, stuck three times in a quick succession to claim the wickets of both openers and a bonus wicket of Australian captain Ricky Ponting. Three wickets fell on 84, 98 and 134 respectively leaving Australia in deep trouble; but once again Michael hussey, the man of crisis, joined Michael Clarke to gave faint hopes of drawing the test number two.

When Kevin Pietersen was given a chance to bowl with 3 overs left in the day, no body was hoping to happen anything miraculous; but England’s hope of the victory shines again when KP picked up the big fish - Michael Clarke, who was hammering all the English bowlers freely all over the ground. This last over wicket of Michael Clarke will help England to come to crease with full of energy and thirst of a victory; while Aussies will take the field in danger of inning defeat.

Earlier England declared their inning on 620/6 with a massive first innings lead of 385. Kevin Pietersen’s double century was the pick of the England’s first innings; while Alastair Cook, in the finest touch of his career, Jonathan Trott and Paul Colligwood’s contributions of 148, 78 and 42 also helped in a great deal to establish threatening total of first inning total of 620.

Australia is still trailing 137 runs to make England bat again; while England needs six wickets to claim much expected victory. Michael Hussey, still on the crease playing on 44, is the biggest obstacle between English victory and a drawn second test match.

In the third session of the play on day 4 an hour was lost due to rain. More rain is predicted for the third session on Day 5, might be the last hope for Australia to save to match from the heavy grip of England. England will have two clear sessions to register the victory and lead the series 1-0, before going in to the third test in Perth at WACA. Let’s see will the weather gods turn out to be the saviour as far as the Aussies are concerned?