Australia has gotten themselves right back into the Ashes series, with an emphatic win over England that took just four days.
Australia looked to make quick runs early on day four, and Rogers and Warner got off to another good start.
Rogers made it to 49, before he suddenly fell ill, with what looked like a dizzy spell, possibly from a head knock he suffered earlier in the Test.
SECOND ASHES TEST – FULL SCORECARD
He was forced to retire hurt, which brought Smith to the field at 0/114.
He and Warner started to pick up the pace, putting on 51 runs before Cook took a screamer from Warner, who tried to bludgeon Ali through cover, dismissing him for 83.
Smith’s quick-fire cameo ended in the 43rd over, when he came charging at Ali and took an air swing, the ball going on to clatter into off stump.
This brought Mitch Marsh out to the field, with hopes to push the lead out past the 500 mark.
Clarke and Marsh did just that, with Marsh hitting back-to-back sixes off Ali to put the lead at 508, with Clarke declaring with about three overs left before lunch.
Cook and Lyth managed to weather the storm before lunch, though not without a couple of appeals, and Lyth managed to avoid getting a pair of ducks at the home of cricket.
They went to lunch at 0/7.
Starc combined with Nevill to end Adam Lyth’s match in the second over after lunch, being caught behind for seven.
Starc was replaced by Johnson for the next over at the Pavilion end – an unusual change which delivered immediate results.
Cook was looking solid, though he failed to last, being tempted into a drive by Johnson, which nicked the outside edge, Nevill comfortably taking the catch and sending Cook off for 11.
It was eight overs later when Marsh took his first wicket for the innings, Ballance nicking to Nevill, heading back after making 14.
It was fairly quiet for the next few overs, the score was creeping along, but it never looked like Root or Bell was about to start hitting out.
Lyon got the next wicket, Bell playing a forward defensive shot that popped up to short leg, caught comfortably by substitute Shaun Marsh.
A magnificent piece of fielding from Johnson saw Stokes run out for a duck, when Johnson got a direct hit on middle stump.
England resumed at 5/64, but within one electrifying over it became 7/64.
The very first ball after tea was a length ball edged to Nevill by Buttler, dismissing the opposite wicketkeeper for 11.
Three balls later Ali was sent packing, Shaun Marsh again being put to work at short leg, with Ali mistiming a pull shot, popping up nicely for Marsh and sending Ali out for a duck.
Prior to the first over back, Johnson’ figures were remarkable, having taken 1/11 off seven overs.
After that over, his figures became outstanding, going up to 3/11 from eight overs, finishing the over as a double-wicket maiden.
Lyon was supporting well, and Johnson continued to intimidate in the following over, Stuart Broad looking vulnerable to Johnson’s barrage.
Broad and Root started to make some bigger shots, and England finally got past the 100-run mark, before Broad scooped the ball to Adam Voges, departing for 25 off 17.
Josh Hazlewood finally got rewarded for his excellent performance, clean bowling Joe Root, who only made 17 from 44 balls during his 80 minutes on the field.
Hazlewood finished off the English innings, bowling Wood for two.
England’s capitulation was astounding, all out for 103, in only 37 overs. Australia won by a monstrous 405 runs, the third largest defeat for England against Australia.
Australia played like a completely different team compared to Cardiff, but I don’t think anyone could’ve expected such a convincing victory.
One of the most concerning statistics England have to consider after this innings is that top scorer Stuart Broad made only 25.
For a bowler to be the top scorer in what was already a huge run chase shows how poorly the English top order performed, and demonstrated the excellence of an on-song Australian bowling attack.
The English selectors will have to take a long, hard look at their batting line-up if they want to avoid another shocking performance with the bat, and keep their Ashes chances alive.
ColinP
Guest
Are you referring to me again King Kong....please don't dismiss other peoples genuine comments because they disagree with you by dismissing them as me. It's pretty harsh, last time you did it some poor bugger was posting his first comment and he hasn't come back since. This is not your personal soap box, wind your neck in. I'm sure the mods/editor bods can confirm that Hugh jarse (amazing name by the way), and Neil back, jimmyb etc are all different users, and not just a single person taunting your paranoid psyche.....everyone knows my iPad can't spell anyway, and Hugh jarse's obviously can
ColinP
Guest
Ronan I'm interested if you could define the following adjectives about fast bowlers using statistics: most consistent, fastest, parsimonious, profligate, most skilful. I reckon the first 4 you could go to your beloved cricinfo for and demonstrate who epitomised that description, I don't see how the latter can be defined statistically. If many professional judges, much more qualified than yourself, have given Anderson this moniker then it is fair enough for you to disagree, but if you wish to shove your half baked opinion down everyone else's throats then at least provide some critical opinion beyond that which anyone with access to statsguru could belch out.
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
There is a decent gap between second and third test so Wood will be rested. And Ballance has been dropped for Bairstow with Bell going to 3. Not sure about that move, Bell to 3, but then the options are limited.
ColinP
Guest
King Kong beat statistical drum.......then never respond to anyone's comments when they offer alternative opinions, as King Kong deem them below him and dismiss as ludicrous
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
Neil, I live in the UK and I've heard and read that said about Anderson.
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
He didn't tour with the Aussie team last time - 2013. He was there for the one dayers but he wasn't in the Ashes squad.
JimmyB
Guest
Someone (can't remember who, might have been Warne) said that Ballance looks like a night watchman, which is cruel, but true. Lyth scored a ton against NZ recently, but his first innings dismissal was not good,I didn't see the second innings one, but heard that it was a great ball. Lyth is likely to retain his place, but I wonder if Hales was still in the form he was in earlier in the season, whether they maybe tempted to make the change. I like Mark Wood, but his pace was well down at Lord's and I'd want to know as a selector that he was going to bowl fast at Edgbaston. The player's in the frame for the third test are likely to be Bairstow and Rashid.
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
It's probably hard to know who to drop. Most of the newer players have very good batting averages, even if they are dropping fast. Just due to how much he's played and how he's looked, I'd drop Ballance. But then he edged and nerved his way to a fifty in Cardiff so that should work in his favour. There is no reason to assume that the Aussies are going to crank through the batsmen in the next match. There is a decent enough break that the English team can regroup.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
Ronan, you keep rolling out this rubbish. Most England fans and pundits do not think Anderson is ' the most skilful fast bowler in the world'. I doubt any really do at all. You have a massive bee in your bonnet about Anderson. Most informed commentators, English or otherwise, more likely believe Anderson to be the most skillful proponent of swing bowling, possibly ever. It's not just that he can produce it in both directions, hard enough, but it's the control, accuracy and skill he can demonstrate in luring batsman into the shot that will edge or miss. But. And here's the point you seem to wilfully miss, he can only do this when conditions allow - and I really don't think anybody but you thinks there is a claim being made otherwise.
Paul BMC
Guest
England has won 4 of the last 6 Ashes series ? That is a selective snapshot, why not expand the period to include the last 14 tests, of which Australia has won 10! Or perhaps look at the history of the Ashes overall. Australia are ahead on overall aggregate (129 - 104) and ahead in some of the more significant stats. Here is one you might like: In the second of two Ashes series held in 2013, this time hosted by Australia, the home team won the series five test matches to nil. This was the third time Australia has completed a clean sweep (or "whitewash") in Ashes history, a feat never matched by England.
Paul BMC
Guest
Road ? If it was such a "road", why were England absolute rubbish on day 4 when Australia cruised along at better than a run a ball when they batted. Same pitch, same conditions. The facts are on the stats sheets. Top scorer for Englad ( a bowler), made 25. They looked like a troupe of frightened schoolgirls.
Mitcher
Guest
Best you direct your question to the cavalcade of English cricket identities who have made the exact same connection. They'd know more than me - and maybe even you...
ChrisB
Guest
Hmm, notice none of the "respect Anderson, the worlds most skilful bowler" brigade have responded to your stats. You're right, Steyn and Harris are easily the best fast bowlers of their generation, consistent, accurate, hostile, dependable and adaptable. I'd also rate Broad fairly highly as he always puts in. But Johnson is the most devastating fast bowler of his generation, and for the 08/9 and 13/14 seasons one of the greatest ever. He's been the key factor in an Ashes whitewash and two series wind in South Africa, so pay him some respect. Don't forget two of England's legendary fast bowlers - Tyson and Larwood have reps based on basically one series, certainly Tyson does.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
You mean a pitch which negates England's highest ever wicket taker Mitcher? Were you even watching mate or were you too busy trying to control your knee jerking?
Mitcher
Guest
It's not about hope. It's about what England order this time around.
JimmyB
Guest
Gracious as always 13th man, well done.
JimmyB
Guest
Thanks for that insight Yoda.
JimmyB
Guest
I do hope that you were taking the p!ss with that post Matt.
JimmyB
Guest
It certainly wasn't a great performance from Anderson, but he's a had a few dropped catches of his bowling already this series. I'm not sure that I agree about him giving up when conditions don't suit him either. He's performed excellently in India for instance, where it's hot and not fast bowler friendly at all. He'll be back in this series.
JimmyB
Guest
You do seem to like to make sweeping statements about 'all England fans' there Chris.