Sport 21-11-2002 Vaughan Helps England To 295-4 who: England batsman Michael Vaughan what: Dominates opening exchanges of second Test where: Adelaide, Australia when: Yesterday snippet: Michael Vaughan "stunned Australia for six unforgettable hours here as the Ashes underdogs bit back after their Brisbane mauling," beams The Evening Standard this morning as England`s opener "plundered his fifth century in nine Tests to the sheer delight of thousands of British fans inside Adelaide Oval." The Yorkshire batsman became the latest England player to be hit by the injury curse which has dogged the Ashes tour, notes The Guardian, "when he twisted his knee during catching practice in the warm-up. But he was heavily strapped by physio Kirk Russell, took his place at the top of the order and dominated until he fell to the last ball of the first day as England racked up 295 for four." Suddenly the mood in the cricket press has taken an upward turn: "No side has lost a Test at Adelaide batting first since 1965-6," reckons The Sun. England now have "a realistic chance they had of turning the tables on Australia," echoes The Times. Vaughan`s innings "enjoyed its fair share of good fortune," says The Independent, bringing everyone back down to earth. "He was given an early reprieve on 19 when Justin Langer caught him at cover only for TV umpire Steve Davis to give him not out because he believed the replays were inconclusive. He was also dropped on 56 by Shane Warne, who failed to take a hard chance at slip." The Mirror instead tells the story of absentee Portsmouth player Rory Allen, who is being hunted by England`s `barmy army` as a mascot after quitting Fratton Park to watch the Ashes. "Bounty hunters have been scouring the streets of Adelaide for possible sightings of football`s most celebrated fugitive," says The Mirror report. "But instead of putting a price on his head, all they want is to pin a Barmy Army T-shirt to his chest, stick an ice-cold `stubbie` in his hand and welcome him to cricket`s motley crew of beer-drinkers, burger-munchers and backpackers." [... more]

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