Ashes 2nd Test Highlights: Australia Hammer England By 8 Wickets To Take 2-0 Lead
Australia vs England, 2nd Ashes Test Day 4, Highlights: Australia handed England a massive beating, securing an 8-wicket victory at the Gabba to go 2-0 up in the series.
Australia vs England, 2nd Ashes Test Day 4, Highlights: Australia won the second Ashes Test against England at the Gabba by 8 wickets, taking a 2-0 lead in the series. England was rescued by a magnificent 138 not out from Joe Root in the first innings, despite Mitchell Starc's 6/75, as they posted 334. Australia seized control with a comprehensive batting display, including half-centuries from Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, and Jake Weatherald, which was extended by a crucial 77 from Mitchell Starc at number nine to reach 511 and gain a massive 177-run lead. England's second innings collapsed under the lights on Day 3, with Michael Neser taking a maiden five-wicket haul, leaving Australia a minimal target of 65 runs which they chased down comfortably on Day 4. (Scorecard)
Australia Cricket Team
England Cricket Team
Mitchell Starc
Ben Stokes
Steve Smith
AUS vs ENG, 2nd Ashes Test Day 4 Live
Welcome back for Australia's run chase. Jake Weatherald and Travis Head walk out to open for the hosts. The English players spread out of the huddle after a long discussion. They take their spots on the field. Head to face the first ball. Jofra Archer will get us underway again. Here we go...
... THE RUN CHASE ...
Credit goes to Steve Smith for his tactical brilliance. He rotated his bowlers smartly, avoiding long spells and keeping them fresh. He was electric in the field and his fabulous catch to dismiss Will Jacks gave Australia the opening they needed to wrap things up quickly. Well then, 10 overs? 12 overs? How much time would Australia take to chase down the skinny target of 65 runs? Remember, Australia have won 12 out of 13 pink ball Tests on home soil and they are well on course for extending that tally. Back in a bit with the chase.
Barring Zak Crawley in the top order, there was hardly any fight from the other batters. Joe Root could not add much and neither could Brook make a strong impact. After being reduced to 128 for 6, England would have been staring at an innings defeat had Stokes and Jacks not stepped up with their 96-run partnership. But against the run of play, Jacks got out and right after scoring his half century, Stokes too, couldn't resist more. After that, the wheels just came off for the Englishmen as they slipped from 224/6 to 241 all out, with a very thin lead at their disposal.
A dry run under the sun for Australia, then a sensational fightback from the hosts. The perfect way to wrap up the innings as Michael Neser holds the ball aloft after completing his five-wicket haul. The experienced Queenslander leads his team towards the dugout. A top-class bowling effort from Australia in the second session. They were a touch too short in the first session but adjusted quickly after failing to get the desired results from that ploy. England will surely be disappointed as after such a great resistance shown by Stokes and Jacks, they could not extend the lead into triple figures.
OUT! TAKEN! FIFER FOR NESER AT THE GABBA. He lands this back of a length and just on off, gets some extra bounce. Brydon Carse stays back and tries to guide it away, but gets a thin outside edge towards first slip, where it is Steve Smith once again, who takes his third catch of this innings. England have been bowled out for 241, and set up a target of 65 for Australia.
Fuller and on off, Brydon Carse blocks it out well.
Hard length and on leg, Jofra Archer pats it down to the leg side.
FOUR! Gets it away! Brendan Doggett bowls this short again, on middle. Jofra Archer gets on top of that and swats it away wide of deep mid-wicket. Jake Weatherald runs to his right and dives but fails to stop the boundary. England lead by 64 runs.
Short and on middle, Jofra Archer pulls it away but straight to mid-wicket.
Halt in play. The physio rushes out from the English dugout and a mandatory concussion test is being carried out for Brydon Carse. He is fine to continue but gets his helmet exchanged.
Bangs this into the pitch, on middle, Brydon Carse opens up his stance to heave it across the line but misses. Takes a blow at the back of the grill of his helmet as the ball goes towards deep third. A leg bye taken.
Back of a length and around off, Jofra Archer pulls it off the toe-end of the bat to the left of Cameron Green at mid-wicket for a run.
Short of a length and down the leg side, follows the batter. Brydon Carse backs away and steers it through point for a single.
BEAUTY! Goes fuller and on off, angles in but then straightens after hitting the deck. Jofra Archer looks to play it from the crease, but the ball zips past the outside edge.
On a length and on off, Jofra Archer pushes it towards short cover.
Good intent! Pitched up and around middle, Brydon Carse knows there is no protection in the deep on the leg side and looks to slog it away. He does not get it from the middle but gets enough to send it towards the vacant deep mid-wicket region for three runs. England lead by 57 runs now.
Touch fuller and on off, Brydon Carse looks to drive but gets an inside egde towards mid on.
Close! Good length and just around off, shapes away, Brydon Carse has a poke at it but gets beaten on the outside edge.
Full and on middle, shaping in, Brydon Carse blocks it out.