Ashes, 2nd Test: Day 2 Talking Points – Duckett propels England to safety
Australia started Day 2 of the second Ashes Test at 339/5, with Steve Smith and wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey on the field. The visitors had done a tremendous job on Day 1 and had given the hosts a taste of their own medicine by tackling the bowlers and scoring quick runs. Australian batters started the day on a high note, with Smith striking gold with his 32nd Test century.
Smith fell short of partners at the other end. He could not form a formidable partnership in the middle as Alex Carey and Mitchell Starc were dismissed. Soon after notching up a ton, Smith too was shown the way back to the pavilion by Josh Tongue. After the centurion’s dismissal, Australia’s batting unit came tumbling down as they were all dismissed in the 101st over with 416 runs on board.
England started off their innings in the first session itself and went strong in the game post Lunch as well. They dominated the second session too, with Australia managing to get just one wicket. Zak Crawley walked off scoring a run-a-ball 48 before Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope steered the innings till Tea. Australian bowlers took charge in the final session and managed to pick up three wickets.
As a result, England’s batting unit witnessed a mini collapse and they finished Day 2 at 278/4, trailing by 138 runs. The hosts will look to continue their Bazball approach when they take the game forward on Day 3.
Talking points from Day 2 of the second Test:
Steve Smith’s record century
Veteran batter Steve Smith proved why he is the greatest of all time, as he equalled Steve Waugh’s record 32 centuries for Australia in Tests. Smith and Waugh are now tied at the second spot in the list of Australians with the most Test centuries. Smith also surpassed the legendary Allan Border to become the Australian batter with the second-most number of Test centuries away from home.
England bowlers’ late efforts
The hosts were on the receiving end after Day 1 as the bowlers could not manage to put up a remarkable performance. But they turned the tables around in no time, in the first session on Day 2 as they picked up the five wickets quickly, and concluded Australia’s innings before Lunch. While Ollie Robinson picked up two wickets in the session, Stuart Broad, James Anderson, and Josh Tongue picked up one wicket each.
Ben Duckett falls two runs short of a century
England opener Ben Duckett played some beautiful shots and carved out an amazing innings of a 134-ball 98 before falling prey to Josh Hazlewood’s pace. Duckett fell two runs short of getting his third Test century, but managed to give his side a wonderful start. After Australia’s mammoth 416, England openers Duckett and Zak Crawley shared a 91-run opening partnership, which was followed by a 97-run stand for the second wicket between Duckett and Ollie Pope.
Australian bowlers strike back post Tea
England finished the second session scoring 145 runs at the loss of just one wicket. Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope anchored the innings after Crawley’s wicket, but Australian bowlers made the most of the final session and picked up three crucial wickets. While Hazlewood sent Duckett packing, Cameron Green dismissed Pope. Australia levelled the day when a brilliant catch by Steve Smith helped Mitchell Starc get the destructive Joe Root out for a paltry 19-ball 10.
