If the first three days of this Ashes series belonged to Australia, England has dominated the proceeding four. On a day hot enough to char-grill the beer battered Barmy Army it was Australia that burned as England scorched to 2/317.

England overtook Australia's first-innings total in the 68th over and by stumps on day two held a lead of 72. By stumps on day three the tourists will expect to be chipping away at their hosts with a first-innings lead in excess of 300.

As in Brisbane, England was led by the record breaking Alastair Cook (136*) an opener in the rarest touch. He found capable support in Jonathan Trott (78) and Kevin Pietersen (85*). With Cook in residence at one end Pietersen dispelled any fears of poor form by threading a series of cover drives through the in field with the dexterity of a seamstress.

Despite England's superiority it could have been so different had Australia taken its early chances.

As is becoming common in this series, the first over the day heralded a wicket. Andrew Strauss inexplicably shouldered arms to a good-length Doug Bollinger delivery and could only look down in despair as his middle and off stumps shed their load.

First drop Jonathan Trott then extended a pair of chances that his hosts were not ruthless enough to accept. First, Xavier Doherty had time to throw down Trott's stumps from square leg but was so off-target he would have missed two sets if they were on offer. Shortly afterwards the normally reliable Mike Hussey completely misjudged a catch in the gully following a sliced drive off the unfortunate Bollinger. Hussey not only allowed the ball through his hands but also his legs as he fell to the ground as if in prayer.

Not that the Gods were doing much about Australia's wayward line. Each member of the attack struggled to cope with the right / left partnership and served up fare that was too straight too often. Whenever a batsman looked impatient or under pressure that concern was doused by the gift of a push into the on side. Only in a half-hour spell before lunch did Ricky Ponting succeed in restricting England's run-scoring by instructing his bowlers to aim wide outside off stump, backed by a 7-2 off-side field. While this slowed England's momentum, it also cost Australia a wicket when Trott, on 44, miscued a pull into no-man's land.

Trott eventually fell for 78, mistiming Ryan Harris to Michael Clarke at midwicket.

This breakthrough served only to welcome Kevin Pietersen to the crease and improve England's already healthy scoring rate. Ponting went immediately for Pietersen's Achilles heel and introduced Xavier Doherty into the attack. Not that the relaxed Englishman cared. His career record suggests a weakness for left-arm orthodox bowling but the batsman on display in Adelaide is not the same that succumbed to such giants of the game as Suleiman Benn and Paul Harris. Like with Mike Hussey, we are being treated to the Pietersen of early-career vintage, the version that muscles improbable shots through the on side before easing the ball with precision to the cover boundary.

England's run rate stabilised between 3.5 and 4 runs per over as Ricky Ponting failed to find an answer to Cook and his pair of right-handed partners. Cook was once again chanceless, on his way to a century to back up his unbeaten double in Brisbane. Cook did require the help of the UDRS though when on 64 he was incorrectly adjudged caught behind despite ball hitting neither bat nor glove as he attempted a pull over his right shoulder. The third umpire swiftly remedied the error.

Cook and Pietersen began to wind down towards the close ensuring both will be at the crease to face the four-over old second new ball on the third morning.

The View From Australia

Despite a major overhaul in the space of two Tests Australia's bowling attack remains toothless. Only Doug Bollinger looked consistently threatening as England tucked in on a glorious batting track.

Analysis of the Hawkeye beehive reveals that England has become expert in leaving or defending around and outside its off-stump before cashing-in on anything too straight. The patience of Trott and Cook in particular is proving to be superior to that of Australia's attack, meaning there have been far more loose deliveries dispatched than impatient shots gifting chances.

Considering the number of leather-chuckers trialled in recent months the situation does not reflect well on the quality of Australia's bowling stocks. However, the captaincy of Ricky Ponting also has to come into question. His penchant for adjusting fields before plans have had sufficient time to be are contributing to Australia's travails in the field. Allied to the lack of a wrist-spinner and the lifeless Kookaburra Australia is obliged to use, the situation could spiral out of control, if it hasn't already.

Australia needs to establish some plans, and back itself to execute them.

The View From England

England proved in Brisbane that it could fight its way out of trouble. In Adelaide it has shown it can lead from the front.

This England side is a different beast to most that visit Australian shores. Its catching, fielding, fitness, running between the wickets, game plan, cohesion, confidence, concentration, patience and execution of basic skills are of the highest order and for the first time in a generation arguably superior to its hosts.

Even with home advantage Australia currently looks unlikely to regain the Ashes. England has to make sure it seizes this opportunity.

Hero

Alastair Cook. In the build up to the series Cook was derided as England's weakest link. Since hostilities have begun he has proven himself to be England's most potent weapon. His scores in the series so far, 67, 235* and now 136* amount to a total most top-order batsmen would consider a feast at the end of a five-match series in Australia. The weight of runs is just part of Cook's incredible opening to this series. The Essex left-hander has already faced over 800 deliveries and occupied the crease for over 20 hours.

Villain

Once again, the Australian fielders failed to make the most of the few chances that came their way. Doherty and Hussey gave Trott two lives before he passed ten while he survived a third, less costly mistake on 76. In such a tight series catches and run-out opportunities have to be taken. Following a dismal showing in Brisbane, Australia's fielding has not improved in Adelaide. England's has been consistently impressive.

I'm not sure anyone else noticed but

Jonathan Trott's average after 15 matches is a scarcely believable 60.73. This puts him fourth on the all-time list behind The Don, Graeme Pollock and George Headley for batsmen that have played a minimum of 20 Test innings.

What's Next?

England will look to bat until just after Tea on the third day, whilst scoring at a reasonable clip. Showers are possible throughout the remainder of the game so Andrew Strauss will be keen to build a substantial lead whilst allowing his attack as much time as possible to dismiss Australia for a second time.

Australia needs to replicate England's rearguard action of Brisbane to avoid falling behind in the series.

TAB Sportsbet Odds

Australia $21.00 Draw $2.30 England $1.70

Close Day 2

England 2/317 - Cook 136*, Pietersen 85*

Australia 245