Australia dominates in 2nd Ashes Test

Same story again England lose the second Ashes Test in a row despite a promising start. After handing Australia a massive 177-run first-innings lead, England are staring at another heavy defeat.

At stumps on Day 3, England were struggling at 134/6 in their second innings, still needing 43 more runs to avoid an innings defeat.

Australia’s pace trio did the damage:

Mitchell Starc 2/48

Michael Neser 2/27

Scott Boland 2/33

Only opener Zak Crawley (44) offered any real resistance. Joe Root, who scored a century in the first innings, managed just 15 this time. Captain Ben Stokes (4*) and Will Jacks (4*) were at the crease when play ended.

Earlier, Australia resumed on 378/6 and were bowled out for 511. Mitchell Starc not only took 6 wickets in England’s first innings but also smashed his highest Test score — 77 off 141 balls (13 fours). Useful contributions from Neser (16), Boland (21) and Doggett (13) helped Australia cross the 500 mark.

England had made 334 in their first innings.