England dominated the second session with Joe Root and Gary Ballance sharing an unbeaten 147-run stand as Australia bowlers failed to produce any wicket-taking deliveries. The script changed drastically from the first session where Australia put on a dominating bowling effort. The two batsman scored at a rate of close to four runs an over and took England to 190/3 at Tea. Root firm, Ballance steady Root continued his good show after Lunch and steered England out of trouble with Ballance growing in confidence at the other end. Beginning the second session with England at 88/3, Root and Ballance made sure that the Australia bowlers enjoy no success. Though Ballance looked troubled against Mitchell Johnson's outside off-stump line, he kept his cool and brought up his fifty in 127 balls. On the other hand, Root was racing away. After scoring his fifty off 57 balls, he ended the session at 93* in 110 deliveries. The two Yorkshire men complimented each other as Root took the attack to Australia while Ballance stole the all important singles and twos. Nathan Lyon did give Root some hard time but the right-handed batsman used his feet to the great effect to negotiate any spin Lyon was getting from the surface. England will love to see both of them continue after Lunch and carry on for another hour to put itself in a strong position on the first day. Australia clueless While Root and Ballance were making amends, Australian bowlers failed to create any impact on a gloomy day in Cardiff. Johnson conceded runs at a rate of over four runs, Starc didn't create anything extra-ordinary and Shane Watson was utilised only for four overs. The bowlers constantly changed their angles and never looked settled. Falling at everything, Michael Clarke brought in Watson but he also failed to impress. Only Josh Hazlewood produced some brilliant spell of pace bowling and beat Root and Ballance outside the off-stump. In the spin department, Lyon produced some chances and even induced some edges but was not successful. Australia will come out in the third session hoping to end the Root-Ballance stand which is the highest for England since the last Ashes at home.
