Left-arm spinner Ashley Giles answered his critics in the best possible fashion on Friday as England took control of the second Ashes Test against Australia at Edgbaston on Friday. Giles, roundly criticised after England's first Test defeat, took three wickets on his home ground as the world champions were bowled out for 308 on the second day.
England's delight with a 99-run first-innings lead, however, which they extended to 124 by the close, was marred by spinner Shane Warne in the final over of the day.
Andrew Strauss, failing to cover his stumps, was bowled by an extraordinary ripper, the delivery turning from way outside off to hit leg. Warne will doubtless produce more of the same on the third day.
England ended on 25 for one, with Marcus Trescothick 19 not out and nightwatchman Matthew Hoggard yet to score.
Fast bowler Simon Jones, who took two wickets, and all rounder Andrew Flintoff, with three, were England's other top performers.
Jones produced a fine display of reverse swing which included England's ball of the day to dismiss Australia's top-scorer Justin Langer for 82 while Flintoff wrapped up the innings with two consecutive inswinging yorkers.
Giles, though, removed Australia's two in-form batsmen, Ricky Ponting for 61 and Michael Clarke for 40, before Australia lost their last five wickets for 46 runs.
Giles, who failed to take a wicket at Lord's, finished with three for 78 to Flintoff's three for 52. Adam Gilchrist was 49 not out at the end.
The first day of the Test had been a carnival, England put in on a benign surface and blazing away in the absence of injured Glenn McGrath for a total of 407, scored at more than five runs an over.
Friday seemed set to followed similar lines but gradually turned attritional after lunch as the world champions realised that their attacking batting was backfiring.
The key for England was the timing of their wickets, taking two wickets just before lunch and two more just before tea.
There was also an early breakthrough when Matthew Hayden departed for the first golden duck of his Test career.
His 120th innings began and ended with a casual drive off a Matthew Hoggard loosener which flew head-high to Strauss at short extra cover.
