Hoggard takes plaudits

Matthew Hoggard caps a superb display with the ball by bowling Stuart Clark © Getty Images

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England coach Duncan Fletcher was full of praise for Matthew Hoggard after his seven-wicket haul in the second Test against Australia.

The Yorkshire seamer finished with 7-109 on a flat wicket to move above Darren Gough into eighth in the list of England’s Test wicket-takers with 231 victims.

“He stuck to his task and also bowled into the wind for a lot of those overs - it just showed the character of the individual,” enthused Fletcher.

“He stuck to the disciplines that were required.

"We thought a skiddy bowler would probably play quite a big role on this wicket.

"One of the reasons he’s been such a useful member of our side is that he is prepared to run through a brick wall for you.

“He’s bowled a lot of overs in the last two days but he’s still pretty cheery and he’s that kind of individual that’s really prepared to stick it out.

“He’s learned different variations from touring the sub-continent when the swing goes pretty quickly and you’ve got to learn to bowl different types of balls with variation of pace and off-cutters, which can be confusing on wickets like this, and it showed today.”

Australia batsman Michael Clarke continued his impressive start to the series with a superb 124 which guided his side to 513, 38 short of England’s first-innings total.

It was a timely century and followed his 56 during the opening Test at Brisbane, having only been recalled to the side because all-rounder Shane Watson was ruled out with a hamstring strain.

Michael Clarke shows his delight after reaching three figures © Getty Images

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Clarke said: “I knew my opportunities were going to be limited in this series. I was given a chance in Brisbane and here in Adelaide and I had to perform - it was as simple as that.

“I had to score some runs to have any case to put forward to the selectors to hopefully be selected in Perth, and I believe as least I’ve given myself a chance now.

“I know that if Shane Watson had been fit I wouldn’t have been playing, but I’m pleased with the way I’ve been going personally.

“It’s up the selectors and if I go back and play state cricket I’ll be over the moon that I was given two Tests.”

He also stressed that Australia have not given hope of conjuring up a victory on the final day despite England claiming a 97-run lead by reaching 59 for one.

“I believe there is still a chance we can win the game,” he said. “As we’ve seen at the end of today, Warney (Shane Warne) is spinning the ball a long way and any time he’s spinning the ball like that the Australian team’s certainly got hope.

“I think tomorrow morning is crucial for us. We’re going to come out fired up and get as many wickets as we can and you never know, maybe we’ll have a run-chase tomorrow afternoon.”