Australia 5-273 (Chris Rogers 72, George Bailey 53, Shane Watson 51, Michael Clarke 48*, Stuart Broad 2-63) vs. England

The top order batsmen of Australia brought stability to their innings by posting three fifties whereas England went down by dropping few important catches.

The Kangaroos smashed 273 runs with half of their side back in the pavilion in 91 overs.

The second Ashes Test commenced on Thursday, December 5, 2013, at Adelaide Oval.

Earlier, Michael Clarke, the skipper of the Aussies, won the toss and preferred to bat first on a good looking strip. David Warner was gone at 34 after scoring 29 runs as Shane Watson got together with Chris Rogers while the match was delayed in between because of rain. The latter survived a review at 27 and the hundred of the innings appeared on board with a six from Watson.

The pair kept on consolidating and Chris Rogers achieved his third Test fifty with a boundary. Watson attained his 21^st Test half century in the process and was caught and bowled by James Anderson for 51. He left the crease at 155 while Rogers followed him at the same score for 72 and the hosts lost their fourth wicket at 174.

George Bailey and Michael Clarke kept the score board alive with odd boundaries whereas the first was dropped at 18. Bailey was the most aggressive of the two and dispatched his maiden Test fifty with a six. The partnership was dislodged at 257 when Bailey surrendered his wicket for 53 and was replaced by Brad Haddin. The latter was dropped at five by Michael Carberry off Monty Panesar while his captain kept on cruising at the other end. Michael Clarke remained unbeaten for 48, Haddin was batting at seven as the Kangaroos thrashed 5-273 after 91 overs.

Stuart Broad was the most successful bowler with two whereas James Anderson, Graeme Swann and Monty Paneasr shared one wicket each.

Australia has done well with the bat and an addition of another 100-125 runs to the total will consolidate their position in the game.