London - Aggressive off-spin bowling from Graeme Swann and indifferent Australian batting allowed England to seize control of the second Ashes Test at Lord's on Friday.
At tea on the second day, Australia had struggled to 96 for seven in reply to England's 361 all out with each of the Australian batsmen contributing to their dismissals.
Shane Watson once again flattered to deceive, hitting six confident boundaries to reach 30 when he was lbw planting his left pad down the pitch to Tim Bresnan. He reviewed the decision but the replay showed the ball was heading for the stumps.
His opening partner Ed Rogers (15) appeared to lose sight of a Swann full toss and was also given out lbw. Rogers did not ask for a review only to see that the television replay revealed that the ball, delivered from around the wicket, was travelling across his body and would have missed the leg-stump.
Phillip Hughes (1) played a loose drive to Bresnan and was given out caught behind by Matt Prior. He did ask for a review, which upheld the original decision and meant Australia had already lost their two referrals.
Usman Khawaja, coming in for the out-of-form Ed Cowan, was no improvement, lofting a weak shot off Swann to Kevin Pietersen at mid-off and departing for 14.
Steve Smith was the next to go, caught at short-leg for two by Ian Bell off Swann. Worse was to come for Australia when captain Michael Clarke, their only world class player, was lbw to Stuart Broad for 28, caught on the crease by a full-pitched delivery.
Ashton Agar was then run out for two, backing up too far when Brad Haddin had been forced on to the back foot by James Anderson. Prior quickly seized the ball and threw it back to the bowler who broke the stumps.
Earlier, Ryan Harris confirmed the fine impression he had made during Thursday's opening day after England had resumed on 289 for seven by dismissing Bresnan (7) caught behind off the first ball of the day.
Harris then completed his third five wicket haul in test cricket when Anderson (12) was also caught behind by Haddin.
Broad and Swann, the latter batting in the unaccustomed position of number 11 after Anderson was promoted to nightwatchman on Thursday evening, took England past the 350 mark with a spirited last wicket partnership of 48 from 40 balls.
It was ended when James Pattinson took his first wicket of the match by dismissing Broad for 33 thanks to a fifth catch of the innings by Haddin. – Reuters