Cricket: Australia's Brad Haddin century against England
Haddin hit four sixes and 11 fours in second Ashes Test against England.
ADELAIDE, Australia (AFP) - Brad Haddin claimed his fourth Test hundred as Australia continued to pile on the runs against England in the second Ashes Test on Friday.
The wicketkeeper raised his ton with a pulled four off debutant Ben Stokes for his third substantial innings of the series.
Haddin brought up his three-figures off 157 balls, with four sixes and 11 fours.
His century, following scores of 94 and 53 in the first Brisbane Test, followed skipper Michael Clarke's 148, in which the pair shared in a record 200-run partnership for the sixth wicket in all Tests at the Adelaide Oval.
England, who fielded two spinners on a gripping pitch, were hopeful of restricting Australia to 350 at start of play but instead they failed to exert any control as Clarke and Haddin took the game away from them. By lunch, their sixth-wicket stand was worth 132 in 34 overs.
England will reflect that it could have been so different. Clarke's determination to dominate the left-arm spin of Monty Panesar from the outset almost went awry as he skipped down the pitch to his first ball of the morning and spooned it over extra cover, marking his fifty with relief as the ball evaded Stokes. England's decision to begin with Panesar did not pay off as his four overs cost 22, broken by the deft footwork of Australia's captain.
England also had a glimmer of a chance to dismiss him when he was 91. Again Clarke's foot movement was ambitious, this time to the offspin of Graeme Swann, and his glance thudded through the hands and into the ankle of Ian Bell at backward short leg. A tough catch missed, Bell, and the wicketkeeper Matt Prior, then failed to gather cleanly to pull off a run out as Clarke dived back into his crease and rose with the sense that fortune was favouring the brave.
Haddin was an impressive accomplice, but he, too, had one or two moments which fell his way. James Anderson, with no swing to sustain him, looked listless, but when he produced a good bouncer to Haddin, on 30, the hook shot fell short of Panesar, who reacted cumbersomely at long leg as the ball sailed out of the unfinished stand. It was barely a catch, although in keeping with the ground works, Panesar also seemed to be wearing concrete boots.
