England tear through Australia in Adelaide

Second Test: Australia 245, England 1-0. England made a sensational start to the second Ashes Test in Adelaide, reducing Australia to 0 for 2 and then 2 for 3 in the opening three overs before finally dismissing the home side for a paltry 245 to take control of the match on day one.

Australia, who had won the toss and elected to bat, could hardly have got off to a worse start as opener Simon Katich was run out without facing a ball - a diamond duck. His partner Shane Watson called him through for a single off the fourth ball of Jimmy Anderson's opening over only for Jonathan Trott to throw down the stumps with the unfortunate Aussie out of his ground.

That was bad enough but things only went downhill from there as Ricky Ponting edged his first ball to second slip where Graeme Swann took a fine catch to leave Australia with two men down and no runs on the board.

Watson and new man Michael Clarke were not together for long as Anderson struck again in his second over, tempting Clarke into an edge that, just like Ponting's, flew to Swann at second slip to leave the home side reeling and England cock-a-hoop.

Mike Hussey and Watson steadied the ship before Anderson claimed his third scalp with the score on 96, having Watson was caught by Kevin Pietersen for 51.

Hussey then shared a partership of 60 with Marcus North as Australia edged towards respectability. But with the score on 156 North was caught behind off the bowling of Steve Finn and the home side were back in the mire.

Any hopes Australia had of recovering sufficiently to post a big score were snuffed out after tea when Swann dismissed Hussey seven runs short of a century and then trapped Ryan Harris LBW first ball, the second golden duck of the Australian innings.

Not content with two first ball ducks Australia then notched a second run out as Xavier Doherty was out for six after a mix up with Brad Haddin.

Tail-ender Peter Siddle tried to hold down one end as Haddin went on the attack, but when Siddle became Anderson's fourth victim and Australia found themselves nine wickets down Haddin had no choice but to go all out and was soon caught by Finn off Stuart Broad.

The innings came to a close with the score on 245, a distinctly average score on what looks to be a good batting wicket.

England's openers safely negotiated the final over of the day, but there was one final moment of drama as Ponting and England captain Andrew Strauss became embroiled in a heated exchange as the teams left the field.

It was no surprise that Ponting was angry given the nature of his dismissal and the performance of the rest of the team, but by allowing his frustration to get the better of him he gave England a very clear indication that he and Australia are rattled. ·