Australia have wrapped up the second Ashes Test at lightning pace on Wednesday afternoon, claiming the final six English wickets before the tea break to win by 120 runs.
The hosts were on top for most of the first three days, but the match turned on its head during the night session on Day 3 to set up a thrilling final day.
Joe Root winning the toss and electing to bowl was one of the stranger decisions and it was Shaun Marsh who made them pay, racking up a century. He was ably supported by wicketkeeper Tim Paine and Pat Cummins as Australia ended up with 8 declared for 442.
They then had England on the ropes at 7 for 142, a distant 300 runs behind before momentum started to change.
Chris Woakes and Craig Overton were the key men for England as they put on 66 to get themselves somewhat back into the game, eventually being knocked over for 227, still 215 runs behind.
Australian captain Steve Smith then took the option of not enforcing the follow-on. It was hardly a surprise at the time, given his four bowlers had just struggled to knock over the English tail and the ball hadn’t moved extravagantly under lights throughout the match.
It all changed though. James Anderson and Chris Woakes got the ball hooping around corners, England going to stumps with four wickets on the board already.
With a big lead, Australia found themselves in a strong position. They collapsed on Day 4 though, crashing to be all out for 137, setting the tourists 354 for the win.
It would have been a history-making chase for England, despite the fact it felt like they should have been chasing at least a hundred more after being comprehensively beaten
They made a solid start on the fourth afternoon and evening of the match.
DRS proved to be a thorn in the Aussies side as they tried to ruin England’s second innings in a hurry. After not reviewing an LBW on Alastair Cook, who was eventually dismissed in the same way, they blew both of their reviews for the innings in a matter of balls.
It meant Joe Root survived to stumps, ending up on 67 not out and giving England more than a flicker of hope heading into the final day, needing just 176 with six wickets in hand.
However, Australia came back out on the final day and wrapped things up in a hurry with Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood forming a superb unit to knock the tourists over.
Chris Woakes was the first go, with captain Joe Root following shortly afterwards. Once the skipper was gone, it was only a matter of time.
England might have fought back, but this is a comprehensive win for Australia – one that puts them up 2-0 in the Ashes before we go to Perth, a traditionally unhappy hunting ground for England. That Test starts on Thursday, December 14.
OJP
Guest
Graham Dilley bowled out of his skin that tour as well
Sam Bunn
Roar Rookie
Having Stokes there and pushing Ali down to bat at 8 would be huge for England
Sam Bunn
Roar Rookie
This test was anything but predictable, the crazy scenes starting before a ball was even bowled with Root's decision to send the Aussies in!
Jameswm
Guest
The Poms have momentum after losing 7 for 60?
Jake
Guest
Go away.You know nothing about cricket jet boy. Matthew Hayden.
Ouch
Guest
So every team bar SA is a rubbish opponent eh? Cause they all lose here. Love these one hit wonders who suddenly appear on the cricket blog telling everyone how it is. Please keep your pearls of cricketing wisdom coming. They are so insightful.
Rasty
Guest
Go back to the boring Jets Kangadud.
Rasty
Guest
Good work mate. But still not convincing.
Simoc
Guest
I hope Perth provides a spectacularly fast pitch so our fast bowlers can, at last, explore the ribcages of these Pommie batsmen. They have plenty to say but they have not had to face any hostile bowling yet. I say to the fast bowlers. Go at them second rib up on the left side. That may cause depression for English batsman and a chance to head home prematurely. Stokes will probably be there due to the national needs (after all the guy he viciously assaulted is still alive). Luckily the ball will not be swinging around as in Adelaide because totals of 140 won't win games in Perth or The Oval. May as well even up here before we get belted over there.
Kangajets
Guest
Gilly. Absolutely legend.
Larry Logical
Guest
No gig for Gilly?
Sydneysider
Guest
Dave the Barmy Army will stay the distance. They will be there for all 5 tests. Great supporters. I can see them singing "4-0 down, we're having a laugh" by the time they get to Sydney.
dave
Guest
Mr Smith all is now forgiven but not forgotten;you must have the best test attack in the world and they came to your rescue.I hoped that Cummings would have got more wickets to reward him for a fine display of bowling but with little luck. if we win the third test there will be no reason for the balmy army to remain in Australia and they can return to a cold miserable England to lick their wounds at christmas.: it is not often that one loses a RLWC and then a short lime later an important test match so the balmy army must be thinking of their wasted money trying to find sporting glory.
republican
Guest
......again, our bowlers win a test match for us. Now imagine if our batsmen were to ever reach the standard of our bowlers????
Kangajets
Guest
Warner is an exciting player in Australia, abysmal under pressure away from home Starc impressive improvement, not a test great but getting better . Hazlewood, potentially a McDermott but nowhere near that yet , time will tell Cummings. . Could be a Brett lee . Let’s hopr he stays fit Lyon , massive improvement. Marsh. Gritty under pressure, Cops a lot of hate for not being Glen Maxwell, well Glen Maxwell isn’t exactly world class if we r being honest Handscomb,, not good Tim Paine . Abt 40 Australia test wicket keepers have been better then him Khawaja, talented but not done enough yet , kinda like a Michael bevan
mark conley
Guest
TIM PAYNE !
Kangajets
Guest
Jake U r probably the dumbest person to ever sledge me . Come on. Cricketers are great at mouthing off Give it a better go jake
JohnB
Guest
Warner's a good player. Cummins is already good and potentially could be anything. Starc is very good as an attacking bowler, albeit prone to be expensive. Australian supporters were spoiled by the quality of their teams from about 1995 through to 2006, which had 8, 9, 10 or even 11 really good players. Before that it was more normal to have 4, 5 or 6 - much as now.
Jake
Guest
Go away jet boy
Basil
Guest
Mate, don't watch it then.