All to play for in Sydney

Andrew Strauss plays all around a straight one to put England one down

After three consecutive matches where one side has been completely dominant, the Sydney test is right in the balance at the end of day two.

England will feel that they have the edge having nearly got within a hundred for the loss of only three wickets but then again Australia will sense early wickets on day three morning to gain the upper hand.

The day started well for the tourists with James Anderson removing Brad Haddin before Paul Collingwood surprised everyone by taking the crucial wicket of Mike Hussey for 33.

Anderson then took two more in an over to have Australia on the ropes at 190-8 and then our favourite Australian Mitchell Johnson decided to have some fun. His quick-fire 50 along with 34 from Ben Hilfenhaus got their side up to a very competitive 280, much to the frustration of England.

But openers Andrew Strauss and Alistair Cook strode to the middle in confident mood and soon got England going with a flourish of boundaries. Strauss passed 50 at better then run-a-ball before he played all around a straight one from Hilfenhaus and was followed by Jonathon Trott for a duck as England threatened a collapse.

But Cook continued on his way along with Kevin Pieterson and it appeared England would be only two down at the close but KP did what KP does best. His rush of blood to the head means this game is on tenterhooks and with a decent forecast for the remaining three days, the tomorrow's first session will prove pivotal to wether the series finishes 3-1 or 2-2.