Ashes 2013: England Rue Dropped Chances as Australia Take Charge

England fought back well on the first day of the second Ashes Test match in Adelaide as Australia ended the day on 273-5 after making a terrific start thanks to some superb batting from Chris Rogers and Shane Watson.

There was some early success for England's bowlers as Stuart Broad claimed the wicket of the dangerous David Warner for 29 but Watson and Rogers combined superbly well to lead Australia to 155-1.

Watson would have been hoping to make a big score after passing his half centruy but he was caught and bowled by James Anderson for 51 before Rodgers then fell for 72 thanks to some superb bowling by Graeme Swann as England looked to fight back.

Steven Smith (6) came in following the departure of Watson and he soon fell as he was clean bowled by Monty Panesar. However, Goerge Bailey (53) came out firing to give their day's total a respectable look as the batsman hit four boundaries and three sixes to give his team upper hand, before falling late in the day to Stuart Broad.

Brad Haddin (8*) and Michael Clarke (48*) will be hoping to bat Australia into a strong position on day two in what is likely to be a crucial day for England as they look to keep their hopes alive of drawing level after the home side secured a comprehensive victory in the first Test.

England captain Alastair Cook will be hoping that his bowlers can get some early wickets as the tourists look to get into the tail but it will not be easy to remove Clarke who looked in ominous form.

The tourists could well have ended the day in a stronger position had it not been for a couple of dopped catches with Panesar putting down an opportunity to remove Bailey when he was on just 10 while Michael Carberry dropped a relatively easy opportunity off the spinner to allow Haddin to survive.

If England can claim the remining five wickets for less than 100 runs then they will feel they still have a chance of winning this Test match but Australia will be hoping to get over 400 in their first innings as Cook's side have struggled to match that score in the past 12 months.