England cash in on McGrath’s absence

ENGLAND responded to the partisan atmosphere of Edgbaston by exploiting Australia’s injury-hit attack and dominating a dramatic opening day to the crucial second Ashes Test yesterday.

Despite pre-match talk of a wicket filled with gremlins, England trusted their shot selection and launched a savage onslaught on an Australian attack desperately missing injured seamer Glenn McGrath.

Roared on by a football-style sell-out crowd, England approached the supposedly dangerous wicket in adventurous fashion and hammered 10 sixes and 54 fours before being dismissed for 407 and left Australian captain Ricky Ponting regretting his decision to bowl first.