Swann spins England into control against South Australia as openers too come good

ADELAIDE - England off-spinner Graeme Swann’s four-wicket haul gave his team a dominant hand against South Australia on day two of the second Ashes warm-up match in Adelaide.

Swann bagged four wickets for 68 runs to dismiss the hosts for 221, and help England chalk up a first-innings lead of 67.

Swann was equally supported by James Anderson (3-62), Steven Finn (2-47) and Stuart Broad (1-41).

In England’s second innings, opening batsmen Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook shared an unbeaten 94-run partnership to quell fears of the opening partnership emerging as England’s main batting flaw before the Ashes.

The pair has succeeded after three consecutive failures to set a robust platform at the top in the tour so far.

Strauss (56 not out) and Cook (37 not out) have extended the team’s lead to 161 by the close of the second day’s play. (ANI)