Day 2 of the ongoing fifth Ashes Test at the SCG witnessed plenty of action after a rain-hit 45-over first day. England added 173 runs to their overnight total before getting bundled out for 384, while Australia finished the day on 166/2, trailing by 218 runs.
Joe Root and Harry Brook began Day 2 unbeaten in their 70s and were expected to push on for big scores. However, Brook fell short of a century, getting out to Scott Boland for 84, ending his 169-run partnership with Root for the fourth wicket.
Mitchell Starc continued his dominance against England skipper Ben Stokes, dismissing him for an 11-ball duck for the fifth time in the ongoing series. Overall, Starc has now dismissed Stokes 14 times in Tests, surpassing former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin’s record of 13.
England wicketkeeper Jamie Smith then added 46 runs, stitching a 94-run stand with Root for the sixth wicket. However, Smith’s dismissal of Marnus Labuschagne summed up England’s poor Ashes campaign.
Meanwhile, Root brought up his second Test century on Australian soil, with both coming in this series. He did not stop there and continued to add runs, getting brief support from Will Jacks. Eventually, Root was dismissed for 160 as England were bowled out for 384.
It was a crucial hundred for Root’s personal milestones, as he now has 41 Test centuries, equalling the Australia great Ricky Ponting for third place on the all-time list. Only Sachin Tendulkar (51) and Jacques Kallis (45) are ahead of him. For Australia, Michael Neser picked up four wickets.
In reply, Australia got off to a steady start with a 57-run opening partnership between Jake Weatherald and Travis Head. The pair handled England’s new-ball bowlers well before skipper Ben Stokes struck first, dismissing Weatherald.
At No. 3, Marnus Labuschagne looked settled as he added 105 runs with Head. However, things heated up after the 29th over when Labuschagne was seen having an animated exchange with Stokes. Batting on 48, Labuschagne went for a drive in the very next over of Stokes, edged the ball, and Jacob Bethell took a sharp catch. Stokes had the last laugh, giving Labuschagne a death stare as he walked back.
Neser came in as the nightwatchman, while Head remained unbeaten on 91 when rain brought an early end to play with five balls remaining.
Once again, Head tore into the England attack with his free-flowing batting. He has now scored 528 runs so far in the series. All eyes will be on him on Day 3, as he will be key for Australia, while England will need early wickets to avoid further trouble.
Brief scores: England 384 (Joe Root 160, Harry Brook 84, Michael Neser 4/60) v Australia 166/2 (Travis Head 91 batting, Marnus Labuschagne 48, Ben Stokes 2/30) trail by 218 runs
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