Swann puts England on top (From News Shopper)

Swann puts England on top

12:36pm Thursday 9th July 2009 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
•  

Graeme Swann's blitz with the bat charged England to 435 against Australia on the second morning of the Ashes in Cardiff.

Swann launched a remarkable assault to firmly place England into the ascendancy to finish unbeaten on 47 after coming in at number 10.

His audacious approach was integral to the hosts adding 99 runs to their overnight 336 for seven in just one-and-a-quarter hours.

He pushed England beyond 400 with a cheeky reverse sweep for four, the third of three consecutive boundaries off spinner Nathan Hauritz in an over which cost 16 runs.

When nightwatchman James Anderson (26) holed out to mid-on off Hauritz it culminated a stand of 68 runs in just 53 balls.

And on a surface already offering prodigious turn, Hauritz wrapped up the innings seconds after having Swann caught in the deep off a contentious no-ball, by having last man Monty Panesar caught behind.

Stuart Broad fell early on the second morning but it did not curb their positive intent in the first npower Test.

Broad, who began the day with a glorious cover drive for four off Peter Siddle and claimed two more boundaries off the same bowler in the third over, succumbed in unfortunate circumstances.

A delivery from left-armer Mitchell Johnson was veering down the leg-side until it clipped his trousers and was re-directed into his stumps.