England v Australia A - Day Two

We have now reached the point where I can’t remember England ever having prepared so well for an overseas series. I’m well aware that there are still two days to go, but the partnership between Bell and Collingwood has put England firmly on the front foot and they will look to put the game out of sight tomorrow.

Good day

Ian Bell

Since returning to the side in South Africa, Bell has looked England’s best batsman. Jonathan Trott’s emergence at number three has helped him since it has enabled him to take his favourite spot at number six, but the evidence is that he is finally adding steel and self belief to his undoubted talent. This was a fabulous innings – to come in at 136-5 and dominate in the way that he did was very impressive.

Paul Collingwood

Bell and Collingwood batted well together in South Africa last winter and this was a situation tailor made for him. He now has scores of 94 and 74 not out going into the series and, as so often, is in better form than he looks.

Alastair Cook

Alastair Cook was the England batsman under most pressure coming on tour, and he has delivered an unbeaten hundred and now a composed sixty in his last two innings. The timing of his trigger movements is crucial to his success and, at the moment, they look in decent rhythm.

Steve O’Keefe

For the second day running, Steve O’Keefe impressed. His bowling is reminiscent of Paul Harris and he bowled very tidily, producing a good one to continue Kevin Pietersen’s horrible run against slow left arm armers. His omission from the uber-squad looks more surprising by the day.

Bad day

Kevin Pietersen

Pietersen’s travails against slow left armers continued, but he’s unlikely to face any in the test series.

Peter George

Having enhanced his reputation in India, George bowled indifferently and also seemed to have borrowed his kit from a much smaller team mate.

Steve Smith

Having batted well yesterday his bowling (10-1-57-0) was disappointing. Nathan Hauritz may be sleeping slightly better as a consequence.

Champagne moment

On a good day for England Ian Bell reached his hundred in style with a boundary from Steve Smith.