Australia vs England Highlights, 2nd Ashes Test, Day 2: Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne Star As Australia Take 44-Run Lead
Australia vs England 2nd Ashes Test, Day 2 Highlights: Australia ended Day 2 of the pink-ball second Ashes Test with a 44-run lead over England.
Australia vs England Highlights: Day 2 of the pink-ball second Ashes Test belonged to Australia, as the hosts soared into a 44-run lead against England. Australia finished on 378/6 at Stumps, with Jake Weatherald (72), Marnus Labuschagne (65) and Steve Smith (61) slamming half-centuries. It was a particularly special day for opener Weatherald, who slammed his maiden Test fifty. For England, Brydon Carse took three wickets, while captain Ben Stokes scalped two. Earlier, England were bowled out for 334 in their first innings. Joe Root top-scored for the visitors with 138, slamming his first ton on Australian soil. Zak Crawley (76) and No. 11 batter Jofra Archer (38) made significant contributions. For Australia, pacer Mitchell Starc was the pick of the bowlers yet again, scalping six wickets. (SCORECARD)
Australia Cricket Team
England Cricket Team
Joe Root
Steve Smith
Jofra Archer
Ben Stokes
Australia vs England 2nd Test Day 2
... THIRD INNINGS ...
England's bowling effort didn't quite go as planned, with the Aussies exploiting them for runs. Carse was the pick of the bowlers, taking 4 wickets, while Stokes grabbed 3. The rest managed one each, but England's biggest regret will be letting the Aussies' last three partnerships add 128 runs, making it harder for them to claw back into the game. With the lead now of 177, England will need to bat at least till the final session on Day 4 and who knows even beyond if they are to stand a chance of leveling the series and if not a win then get a draw out of this game.
The Australian batting lineup delivered a masterstroke, amassing 511 runs with every player making a significant contribution. The top-order delivered as expected, but it was the tail's grit that truly impressed, with Mitchell Starc top-scoring in a star-studded lineup featuring Smith, Green, Labuschagne, and Head. Notably, none of these batting stalwarts failed, showcasing a remarkable team effort that puts Australia in a commanding position.
All the eleven batters managing to reach double digits. This has happened for the first for AUSTRALIA SINCE 1992. This has been nothing but a dominant display that has built a commanding lead of 177 runs over England. The innings started off like a train on fire but the way it finished, the batters ensured that they grinded the English for as long as possibel.
OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Finally, a wicket for a spinner in this Test match. Will Jacks bowls from a bit wide of the crease and slants one across the batter. Brendan Doggett looks to block but the ball kept going away from him, catching an outside edge that was taken cleanly by Harry Brook at first slip. Australia are stopped at 511 with the lead reading 177!
Tossed up on middle and leg, Brendan Doggett keeps it out around silly mid on.
Fuller on middle and off, Brendan Doggett blocks it.
What a batting display from the Aussies! 6 fifty-plus stands and just 1 partnership failing to reach double figures is a remarkable effort, showcasing their incredible depth and consistency throughout the batting order!.
Banged short again, wide of off, Brendan Doggett pushes this through cover for a single.
Short and on off, Scott Boland jams this around cover and rotates.
Another one where Carse bends his back and bowls a short one, around leg. Scott Boland lets it go past him.
Brydon Carse comes around the wickets and bowls a short one, going across the batter. Scott Boland swings and misses again.
Short and wide of off, Scott Boland chases this and slashes hard at it but gets beaten.
Short pitched, on middle and off, Scott Boland hops up on his toes and jams this down.
WIDE! Short one, way down the leg. Even in the whites of Test this is called wide by the umpire.
This has to be frustrating for Ben Stokes and England. Another gritty partnership towards the end of the Aussie innings as Scott Boland and Brendan Doggett continue to show resiliance.
EDGED, SHORT! Pushed through on middle and off, Brendan Doggett strides out in front and looks to dead bat it. Gets it edged off the outside and the ball lands short of Harry Brook at first slip.
Pushed through on off, Brendan Doggett blcoks this off his front foot.
Will Jacks now comes over the stumps, bowls it full and on the pads, Brendan Doggett ticksles this fine to the right of fine leg for two.
Even Scott is not putting a foot wrong. Short of a length on middle and leg, Scott Boland goes deep inside his crease and works this to fine leg for a single.