ADELAIDE (Australia): England were 198 for two in reply to Australia's first innings 245 at tea on the second day in the second Ashes Test at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday.
Alastair Cook was unbeaten on 90 with Kevin Pietersen not out 14. Alastair Cook closed in on a second straight hundred as England continued its dominance of the second Ashes Test against Australia.
Cook and Jonathan Trott put on 173 for the second wicket before the latter was dismissed for 78 while lofting a catch to Michael Clarke at mid-wicket off Ryan Harris.
Cook survived a scare on 64 when he given out caught behind off Peter Siddle, but the batsman immediately referred the decision to the third umpire and replays showed the ball hit his arm.
Earlier, Australia struck early to take the prize wicket of England captain Andrew Strauss but Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott eased the tourists to 90/1 at lunch.
Cook (35) and Trott (39) enjoyed a record unbeaten stand of 329 in the first Ashes Test and again looked a formidable partnership as they chased Australia's first innings total of 245 on a blistering hot day at the Adelaide Oval.
Recalled fast bowler Doug Bollinger gave the hosts a dream start by clean bowling Strauss for one run on his third Ashes delivery, delighting much of the packed house basking in the morning sun.
The wholehearted Bollinger, steaming into the England batsmen with protective white war paint daubed on his face, almost had a second scalp when Trott, on 10, sliced a drive to gully but Mike Hussey failed to hold a low catch.
Trott had already survived a earlier scare after a mix-up with Cook when he was on nine, but Xavier Doherty missed the wicket when a direct hit would have comfortably run the batsman out.
England's stunning start to the test on Friday, when they reduced the Australians to 2-3 in the first three overs, was fired by Trott's accurate throw to run out Simon Katich.
Australia dropped Mitchell Johnson and overhauled their fast bowling unit for the second test after Cook (235 not out) and Trott (135 not out) hammered them at the Gabba.
Local quick Ryan Harris is also making his Ashes debut in place of Ben Hilfenhaus, while Peter Siddle retained his spot on the back of six wickets and a hat-trick in England's first innings.
All three struggled to get any movement on Saturday morning after Bollinger's early breakthrough with the Adelaide track again looking like a batting-friendly surface.
England are hoping to retain the Ashes a earn a first series triumph in Australia in 24 years.
