England ride their luck as Australia hit back

(Reuters) - England rode their luck through a rocky afternoon spell to reach 167-3 in their first innings at the close of play on the second day of a well-balanced fifth Ashes test on Tuesday after dismissing Australia for 280.

Alastair Cook, who was saved from dismissal by a no-ball review, had made 61 with nightwatchman James Anderson alongside him on one after a triple blow from the Australian bowlers had disrupted England’s comfortable post-lunch progress.

“It’s pretty even-stevens, perhaps slightly in our favour,” said Anderson told reporters. “I think we’ve got a crucial morning session to get through tomorrow. We’ve really got to dig in tomorrow and hopefully get a decent lead.”

England have already retained the Ashes courtesy of their innings and 157-run victory in Melbourne last week but Australia could still square the series at 2-2 with a victory this week.

That looked highly unlikely when Australia were reduced to 189-8 in the morning but Mitchell Johnson and Ben Hilfenhaus then delighted the 40,000 crowd at the Sydney Cricket Ground with a splendid stand of 76 for the ninth wicket.

“Obviously it was a very important partnership myself and Hilfy,” said Johnson, who made 53.

“It’s always exciting to go out there and score runs... That just gives us confidence going out there and bowling.”

After dismissing the Australians, England were cruising at 98 without loss in their reply when Hilfenhaus bowled Andrew Strauss for 60 to reignite the contest.

Johnson then struck to remove Jonathan Trott for a duck six balls later and England were on the rack.

Kevin Pietersen, who came out to the crease to a chorus of boos, survived a shaky start, most notably when he hit the ball between his legs and the stumps when he was on eight.