Day two: Australia manages to stay afloat, England still on the driving seat

Australia have finished day two at 241 for the loss of 7 wickets. Earlier England’s captain, Cook declared with his team’s score at 391 for 9. England took a mammoth 331-run lead and Australia still trails by 90 runs at stumps.

England need another three wickets to win this test match and claim back the Ashes Urn. Australia on the other hand need a miracle to save them, a result highly unlikely.

Resuming their day on 274 for 4, England lost Root early. He departed for 130. His overnight partner, Mark Wood scored 28. Ben Stokes (5) and Jos Buttler (12) departed cheaply. Moeen Ali (38) and Stuart Broad (24) helped the hosts pile on the agony for the Aussies.

The only bright spot for the Australian camp, Mitchell Starc’s bowling. The New South Wales man picked up 6 wickets, though he was a bit costly, giving away a ‘nelson’ 111 runs. Out of the remaining, Josh Hazlewood picked up 2 and Mitchell Johnson picked up a wicket.

The Australian openers started their second inning on a positive note as a partnership of 113 runs was forged. Both the openers reached their fifty, however with Rogers’ (52) departure and Warner (64) sent back to the pavilion it was a déjà vu of their first innings.

Steve Smith (5) seemed to have lost his mojo, and Shaun Marsh with figures of 0 and 2 in his two innings respectively squandered his chance. Michael Clarke is slowly becoming a shadow of his own glorious past. He flashed hard at a ball to get out for 13. Adam Voges (48) is at the crease, accompanying him is Starc (0).

Ben Stokes picked up a ‘fifer’ (5-35). Broad and Wood picked up one each.