SYDNEY: Alastair Cook continued his series domination of the Australian bowlers, scoring an unbeaten 61 on Tuesday and sharing important partnerships with Andrew Strauss and Kevin Pietersen as England cut the first-innings deficit to 113 runs on day two of the fifth Ashes Test.
England, which has already retained the Ashes with a 2-1 lead, is well poised to claim its first series win in Australia since 1987.
Cook played the anchor role in a 98-run opening stand with skipper Strauss, who blazed 60 from 58 balls, and then combined with No. 4 Pietersen (36) for 66 runs after England lost two wickets for one run before recovering to 167-3 at stumps in reply to Australia's 280.
Johnson, who top scored for Australia with 53, returned 2-42.
England, which has already retained the Ashes with a 2-1 lead, is well poised to claim its first series win in Australia since 1987.
Cook played the anchor role in a 98-run opening stand with skipper Strauss, who blazed 60 from 58 balls, and then combined with No. 4 Pietersen (36) for 66 runs after England lost two wickets for one run before recovering to 167-3 at stumps in reply to Australia's 280.
Johnson, who top scored for Australia with 53, returned 2-42.
